Motor Impairment Three Months Post Stroke Implies A Corresponding Cognitive Deficit

Abstract

Background: While both motor and cognitive impairment are common after stroke, the focus of (early) treatment has always been on motor deficit.

Aims: The objective of the current study was to explore the link between motor and cognitive performance in stroke patients and to examine whether motor performance is associated with cognitive functioning at three months post stroke.

Methods: In both stroke patients (n = 142) and controls (n = 135), with the groups matched on age, gender and premorbid IQ, motor functioning was evaluated using both objective (Purdue Pegboard Test) and subjective measures (specific items from the Frenchay Activities Index and Barthel Index). Cognition, specifically information processing speed, working memory and cognitive flexibility, was assessed using objective tasks. The data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and logistic regression.

Results: Significant correlations between motor and cognitive functioning were found in stroke patients. The objective motor task was stronger than subjective measures in statistically explaining and predicting cognitive deficit, irrespective of stroke severity.

Conclusions: We conclude that motor impairment at three months post-stroke should serve as a 'red flag' for professionals: cognitive impairment is likely and should also be evaluated.

Keywords: Stroke; motor and cognitive impairment; objective tasks; rating scales.