Speed of finger tapping and goal attainment after unilateral cerebral vascular accident.
OBJECTIVE
To determine (1) if speed of finger tapping is bilaterally slow after an acute unilateral cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and (2) if speed of finger tapping and grip strength are related to achieving rehabilitation goals during the first few weeks after stroke.


METHODS
Prospective inception cohort study.


METHODS
Medical center and neurological institute.


METHODS
Fifty-one patients with unilateral CVAs.


METHODS
Documentation of goal attainment at discharge and bilateral measures of speed of finger tapping and grip strength.


RESULTS
Speed of finger tapping and grip strength were often bilaterally below normal limits after an acute unilateral CVA, with the contralateral hand most affected. Speed of finger tapping, but not grip strength, in the ipsilateral hand was associated with achieving rehabilitation goals. Speed of finger tapping in the contralateral hand as well as bilateral grip strength was not related to achievement of rehabilitation goals.


CONCLUSIONS
Motor findings suggest that bilateral cerebral dysfunction may be common after an acute unilateral CVA. The speed of finger movement in the hand ipsilateral to the lesion may reflect the degree to which the so-called "unaffected" cerebral hemisphere has in fact maintained its functional integrity. As such, it may be a useful behavioral marker for predicting goal attainment during early stages of neurorehabilitation.
Prigatano
G P
GP
Division of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013-4496, USA.
Wong
J L
JL
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003289:Convalescence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006040:Goals; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed