Important-performance analysis to conceptualize goal priorities in community dwelling stroke survivors.
Catherine Cooper Hay, Monique R Pappadis, Angelle M Sander and 3 others
PMID 34009101WHAT IT FOUND
For stroke survivors living in the community, goals like hand function, driving, balance, memory, and arm strength were consistently prioritized when rated against their current performance.
Speech goals did not emerge as a priority for this group, likely because most participants already performed well in this area.
Key findings
01Five goals remained in the priority area across all analysis methods: hand function, driving, balance, memory, and arm strength.
02Communication goals were not identified as priorities, possibly because the majority of participants did not have aphasia or speech deficits.
03Participants older than 65 rated home access and skin health as significantly more important than younger participants did.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample was small (38 participants) and recruited from a specific geographic area, limiting generalizability. Participants had mild-to-no cognitive impairment (MoCA ≥22) and high self-reported functioning, so findings may not apply to those with severe cognitive deficits or lower functional levels. The average time since stroke was over 8 years, making results specific to the chronic phase rather than acute recovery. The study excluded individuals with significant self-awareness deficits, potentially biasing the sample toward those with better insight.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing interests and no financial benefits.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that speech and communication goals are low priorities for all stroke survivors. This study's sample largely lacked aphasia or speech deficits, so their lower priority here reflects good existing performance in this group, not a lack of importance for patients with communication impairments.