Diagnostic of psychoemotional and cognitive impairments in acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Aims: to assess the severity of cognitive, psychoemotional, behavioral disorders, the level of self-control and prevalence of certain coping strategies in patients with lesions of the right and left cerebral hemispheres after acute ischemic stroke.
 Materials and methods: The study included 60 patients with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Depending on the location of the stroke, patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 - 30 patients with lesions of the right hemisphere, Group 2 - 30 patients with lesions of the left hemisphere. The study was conducted on the 7th day of treatment and included: assessment of the cognitive status according to the Montreal scale (with additional scales for assessing the functions of the right hemisphere); assessment of the level of distress, depression, anxiety and somatization using the Four DimensionalSymptomQuestionnaire; assessment of mental and physical asthenia according to the MFI-20 scale, level of self-control using the Rotter'sLocus of Control Scale and coping strategies modality using E. Heim coping questionnaire.
 Results: The study established the prevalence of depression, a tendency towards non-adaptive coping strategies, ideational praxis related disorders understanding of metaphors and low level of self-control in relation to health in patients with lesions of the right hemisphere. Patients with ischemic stroke localized in the left hemisphere are characterized by a high level of mental asthenia, a choice of adaptive and relatively adaptive coping strategies, and a low level of self-control in respect to interpersonal relationships.
 Conclusions: The results of the study show that in the acute period of stroke there are qualitative and quantitative differences in neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients with lesions of the right and left cerebral hemispheres. The predominance of depression, cognitive impairments, and non-adaptive coping strategies in patients with lesions of the right hemisphere even with minimal or moderate motor deficits justifies early examination of the patient's behavioral, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive syndromes. The results of the study indicate the need to develop individual psychological rehabilitation programs for patients with lesions of the right and left cerebral hemispheres during the acute period of stroke.