Perceptual impairment and its impact on rehabilitation outcome. SUE Study Group

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of perceptual assessment and treatment provided on a stroke unit by comparison with that provided on health care of the elderly and general medical wards. Stroke patients admitted to hospital were randomly allocated to a stroke unit or conventional wards. Perceptual impairment was assessed on entry to the study and at 3, 6 and 12 months after randomization. Stroke unit patients show significantly less impairment of perceptual abilities at all stages after stroke. Perceptual impairment, as assessed using the Rey figure copy, was a significant predictor of outcome as assessed on the Barthel Index, Extended ADL scale and Rivermead Motor Assessment at 12 months after stroke.