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. 2018 Jun 27;42(3):375-383.
doi: 10.5535/arm.2018.42.3.375.

Evaluation of Ataxia in Mild Ischemic Stroke Patients Using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA)

Sung Won Choi  1 , Nami Han  1 , Sang Hoon Jung  1 , Hyun Dong Kim  1 , Mi Ja Eom  1 , Hyun Woo Bae  1
Affiliations

Evaluation of Ataxia in Mild Ischemic Stroke Patients Using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA)

Sung Won Choi et al. Ann Rehabil Med. .

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate the utility of Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) for evaluation of posterior circulation-related features in patients with mild stroke.

Methods: Forty-five subjects, diagnosed with acute infarction in the cerebellum, basis pontis, thalamus, corona radiata, posterior limb of internal capsule, and their National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ≤5 were enrolled. SARA scores were graded by the cut-off value of severity in dependency of activities of daily living (ADL). SARA, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), and Trunk Control Test (TCT) were correlated in regression analysis with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge. Correlation between SARA and other tools was analyzed. Patients were divided based on mRS at admission (group A, mRS 0-2; group B, mRS 3-5). Scores between the two groups were compared.

Results: Among the subjects, 48.9% (22/45) scored above 5.5 on SARA, and even 11.1% (5/45) scored higher than 14.25, which is the cut-off value of 'severe dependency' in ADL. SARA showed significant value for prediction of mRS at discharge. SARA was correlated with BBS (r=-0.946, p<0.001), TUG (r=-0.584, p<0.001), and TCT (r=-0.799, p<0.001). The SARA, BBS, TUG, and TCT scores between were lower in group B than in group A patients. SARA as well as BBS, TUG, and TCT reflect the functional severity of all patients.

Conclusion: SARA is a complementary tool for evaluation of the severity of ataxia in mild stroke patients with features of posterior circulation.

Keywords: Ataxia; Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia; Stroke.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) score graded by the cut-off value of severity in dependency of activities of daily living (ADL). SARA was assessed immediately after the patients’ release from absolute bed rest (within 5 days from admission). Values are presented as mean±standard deviation, ratio (%), and number of patients.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Pearson correlation analysis between the SARA total scores and BBS (A), TUG (B), and TCT (C). Measuring tools were assessed immediately after the patients’ release from absolute bed rest (within 5 days from admission). SARA, Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia; BBS, Berg Balance Scale; TUG, Timed Up-andGo; TCT, Trunk Control Test. ***p<0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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