Neurophysiologic syndromes in stroke as predictors of outcome

Outcomes in self-care following rehabilitation in 226 patients were correlated with 11 stroke syndromes, reflecting several pathophysiologic disturbances subsequent to either infarction or hemorrhage in cerebral or vertebro-basilar vessels. Self-care was scored on a 20-point scale for bed movements, transfers, feeding, dressing, personal hygiene, and bathing. Interjudge error among therapists did not exceed 2.5%. Mean score in left cerebral infarction without aphasia was used as a referent value. Scores in left cerebral infarction with aphasia and right parietal lobe syndrome with and without spatial agnosia were similar to the referent. Brain stem dysfunction with spasticity and right cerebral infarction with paresis and spatial agnosia fell below the referent value (Pless than 0.05). Higher levels were achieved in the syndromes of left and right anterior cerebral artery territories, brain stem dysfunction with ataxia, and left parietal lobe syndrome with comprehension aphasia, although t-values were not significant. Length of stay among the 11 groups was fairly uniform except for the group with brain stem dysfunction with spasticity and the group with left hemiplegia with spatial agnosia. These groups indicated rather severe disabilities. Aside from neurologic dysfunction the range of scores was influenced by associated cardiopulmonary involvement.