Evaluation of a comprehensive assessment battery for stroke patients

The authors describe their experience of evaluating a battery of tests to assess function in patients with stroke and head injuries. They consisted of the Abbreviated Mental Test Score, Ravens Progressive Coloured Matrices, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Motricity Index, Shortened Rivermead Perceptual Assessment Battery (RPAB), Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test (FAST) and Barthel's Activities of Daily Living Index. These were applied to 50 patients, six of whom had had a head injury and 44 a stroke. Over 80% of subjects were able to complete the battery. Reasons for failure amongst the remainder were language problems, poor concentration and short term memory loss. Abnormalities in one aspect of cerebral function often compromised tests designed to assess another aspect of this. For example, upper limb incoordination interfered with RPAB, language difficulties affected the Abbreviated Mental Test, and HAD, and hemianopia compromised both RPAB and FAST tests. The battery can usually be completed within 1h, and could be performed by a wide range of professionals. It is likely to be particularly useful in screening for abnormalities requiring more detailed evaluation by particular professionals, and in monitoring the progress of patients during the course of treatment.