The Use of the ICF Classification Sheet to Assess Cognitive-Behavioral Disorders and Verbal Communication in Patients after Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke during Rehabilitation

Background: In patients after experiencing stroke, the cognitive-behavioral deficits and disorders of verbal communication limit the effectiveness of rehabilitation. The key is to diagnose them at an early stage of rehabilitation and to implement appropriate psychological and speech therapy. Objective: Identify differences in the frequency and effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral disorder therapy depending on the clinical type of stroke, assessed before and after rehabilitation treatment, and their presentation using the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health) classification. Materials and Methods: The study was prospective and included the analysis of cognitive-behavioral and verbal communication disorders. The study consisted of 47 patients after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and 47 patients after an ischemic stroke (IS) before the implementation of rehabilitation and after completing a 4-week rehabilitation. Results: In the group after ICH, psychological therapy significantly reduced the disturbances of consciousness and orientation (p < 0.001) and improved the speed of performing tasks in tests (p < 0.001). In patients after IS and ICH, memory and attention function improved significantly (p < 0.001). Moreover, in patients after ICH, language function deficits decreased significantly (p = 0.018). Mood disturbances were maintained in 17% of patients after ICH and 40% of patients after IS (p = 0.007). Speech therapy reduced speech articulation disorders and aphasia in 85% of patients after ICH (p = 0.001) and in 68% of patients after IS (p = 0.033). Conclusions: The frequency and type of cognitive-behavioral and verbal communication disorders vary depending on the history of ICH or IS. The ICF classification may be useful in assessing and analyzing cognitive-behavioral and verbal communication disorders, which may lead to the implementation of appropriate psychological and speech therapy at an early stage of rehabilitation and increase the effectiveness of the therapy.