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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Determining the Functional Status of the Corticospinal Tract Within One Week of Stroke
Published on: February 22, 2020
Functional Status and Disability in Patients After Acute Stroke: A Longitudinal Study
Fidel López-Espuela1, Juan Diego Pedrera-Zamorano2, Pedro Enrique Jiménez-Caballero2
1Fidel López-Espuela is research nurse, Juan Diego Pedrera-Zamorano is head of the nursing department, Pedro Enrique Jiménez-Caballero, José María Ramírez-Moreno, and Juan Carlos Portilla-Cuenca are neurologists, Jesús María Lavado-García is vice dean of the nursing school, and Ignacio Casado-Naranjo is head of the department of neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital San Pedro de Alcantara, Cáceres, Spain. fidel.lopez.es@gmail.com.
Functional outcomes after stroke depend on factors like age, sex, and stroke severity. Early assessment using the Barthel Index can predict a stroke survivor's recovery at six months.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Stroke represents a significant global health challenge.
- Assessing functional recovery is crucial for stroke survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate basic activities of daily living in stroke survivors using the Barthel Index.
- To identify predictors of functional outcomes six months post-stroke.
Main Methods:
- An observational longitudinal study was conducted.
- Data collected included sociodemographic, clinical, and stroke-specific information.
- The Barthel Index and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale were utilized.
Main Results:
- Barthel Index scores at six months correlated with baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores and mood.
- Age was negatively associated with functional status at discharge and six months post-stroke.
- Most survivors returned home, while some required institutionalization.
Conclusions:
- Functional status is influenced by age, sex, stroke severity, type, baseline status, mood, and social risk.
- Comorbidities, socioeconomic status, and residence area did not significantly impact outcomes.
- Predictors of functional recovery in stroke survivors were identified.
