Motor function and participation among Nigerian stroke survivors: 6-month follow-up study

The pattern of and relationship between motor function and participation among community-dwelling stroke survivors in Ibadan, Nigeria was studied over a 6-month period. Twenty post stroke individuals were recruited out of which 16 (9 males and 7 females) completed the study. Motor function and participation were assessed within 4 weeks after stroke (baseline) and the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and the 5th month at the respective residence of the patients using the Modified Motor Assessment Scale (MMAS) and London Handicap Scale (LHS) respectively. Results showed statistically significant increase in both motor function (Friedman's ANOVA 37.50; p = 0.00) and participation (Friedman's ANOVA = 41.87; p < 0.001) across 6 months. Significant correlation was observed between overall total scores of the motor function and participation measures at the 1st month. The Orientation and Economic Self-Sufficiency domains of the LHS were however not significantly correlated with the MMAS items (p > 0.05). At the 6th month, LHS did not correlate with MMAS items except between physical independence and sitting to standing, occupation and sitting to standing, and physical independence and walking. The results show that recovery of motor function and increase in level of participation occurred progressively across six months post stroke. This apparent association between motor function and participation suggest that as patients were regaining motor function, their participation level was also improving.