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Stroke survivors over-estimate their medication self-administration (MSA) ability, predicting memory loss
A M Barrett1, Elizabeth E Galletta, Jun Zhang
1Kessler Foundation Research Center , West Orange, NJ , USA .
Brain Injury
|June 3, 2014
Summary
Stroke survivors often overestimate their ability to manage medications independently, a deficit linked to memory problems. Assessing medication self-administration (MSA) and self-awareness is crucial for rehabilitation and community reintegration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Medication self-administration (MSA) presents cognitive challenges post-stroke.
- Guidelines for identifying stroke survivors with MSA difficulties are lacking.
- Cognitive anosognosia (lack of awareness of cognitive deficits) is common, leading to overestimation of abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate medication self-administration (MSA) and MSA self-awareness in acute stroke survivors.
- To determine if stroke survivors overestimate their MSA competence.
- To investigate the prediction of memory disorders by MSA overestimation.
Main Methods:
- 24 acute stroke survivors undergoing inpatient rehabilitation were assessed.
- Participants completed the Hopkins Medication Schedule.
- Cognitive functions (memory, naming), mood, and dexterity were evaluated and compared to 17 matched controls.
Main Results:
- Stroke survivors demonstrated overestimation of MSA ability compared to controls (anosognosia ratio).
- No other overestimation errors were observed relative to controls.
- A significant correlation was found between overestimation of MSA ability and verbal memory deficits.
Conclusions:
- Formal assessment of medication self-administration (MSA) and self-awareness can help identify cognitive deficits.
- These assessments are valuable tools in stroke rehabilitation.
- Improved MSA self-awareness may contribute to successful community reintegration after stroke.
