Factors associated with cognitive improvement in subacute stroke survivors.
Naoki Mori, Yohei Otaka, Kaoru Honaga and 4 others
PMID 34232322WHAT IT FOUND
Half of subacute stroke survivors with cognitive impairment improved clinically.
Patients who could eat independently and interact socially on admission were more likely to improve. This suggests preserved daily function predicts cognitive recovery, not just baseline impairment.
Key findings
0148% of participants with post-stroke cognitive impairment achieved clinically significant improvement in MMSE scores by discharge.
02Higher scores on the Functional Independence Measure items for 'eating' and 'social interaction' at admission were associated with cognitive improvement.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted in a single facility in Japan, so results may not generalize to other healthcare systems or populations. It was a retrospective design, which cannot establish causation between eating/social skills and cognitive improvement. The MMSE was used as the primary cognitive measure, which may not capture all domains of cognitive impairment compared to other tools like the MoCA. Patients with aphasia or disturbed consciousness were excluded, so findings do not apply to those groups.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that improving eating or social interaction skills directly causes cognitive recovery. The study shows an association at admission, but it cannot determine if these skills are the cause of improvement or simply markers of patients who are more likely to recover spontaneously.