Functional outcomes in patients with right hemisphere brain damage

What are the functional outcomes of right hemisphere stroke patients with or without hemi-inattention complications? A critical narrative review and suggestions for further research

“…Age and gender were described consistently; study [ 11 ] made reference to educational background and family burden. The age range varied from 57 (SD 10) [ 10 ] to 60–69 [ 11 , 14 , 16 , 27 , 28 ] and 70–76 years [ 12 , 15 , 29–32 ]. In addition, there was considerable variation in age within specific studies, e.g.…”

“…Perceptual deficits and difficulty completing LCT at 1st observation Depression assessed probably too early when patients are likely to be depressed due to stroke event No FIM or cognitive discharge score reported. Odell et al (2005) [ 29 ] (USA) GRADE D Aim – To document selected functional outcomes at the termination of in-patient treatment Design – Retrospective Setting – Acute in-patient rehabilitation hospital Sample – (60 HI+ 41 HI−) Mean age 70 years Range (40–99) Time to 1st observation not known Follow-up observation at discharge No formal assessment of HI (relied on mention of condition in medical records) 1 a Outcome FIM scores at admission and discharge 2nd Outcome Amount and efficiency of gain, LOS Discharge placement Mann–Whitney U test Regression analysis Modelled IV’s 12 predictor variables made up of initial motor score, cognitive items plus age, gender, previous neurological episodes, no. of comorbidities, lesion site and presence/absence of HI Admission, discharge FIM median HI+ (57 and 88), HI− (66 and 104); similar gains in motor ∼24 units, cognitive domains HI+ (3.5), HI− (2).…”

Comprehensive Overview of Nursing and Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Care of the Stroke Patient

“…Research indicates that stroke patients can continue to make gains for years after onset; thus, continued management of these individuals in chronic care settings is recommended. 330 -332 Patients may be discharged from acute care to nursing homes if their hospital has insufficient rehabilitation services or they have inadequate home support 333 ; for these patients, their nursing home placement should be viewed as inpatient rehabilitation. Although previously reviewed communication and cognitive management procedures are often appropriate for the chronic care stroke population, further research is needed to (1) evaluate the direct application of these procedures for this patient population and (2) develop further tests and treatment protocols designed to address the specific characteristics and needs of this stroke population.…”

Constraint - Induced Movement Therapy: Determinants and Correlates of Duration of Adherence to Restraint use Among Stroke Survivors with Hemiparesis

“…The mean age of the participants was in line with the observation that most individuals in chronic care settings are usually elderly (Odell et al, 2005). The mean duration of stroke showed that most stroke survivors with hemiparesis had been attending clinics for rehabilitative care for a long period.…”