Prevalence of apraxia among patients with a first left hemisphere stroke in rehabilitation centres and nursing homes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of apraxia in patients with a first left hemisphere stroke.


METHODS
Left hemisphere stroke patients staying at an inpatient care unit of a rehabilitation centre or nursing home and receiving occupational therapy (n = 600).


METHODS
A short questionnaire on general patient characteristics and stroke-related aspects was completed by occupational therapists for every left hemisphere stroke patient they treated. A diagnosis of apraxia or nonapraxia was made in every patient, on the basis of a set of clinical criteria.


RESULTS
The prevalence of apraxia among 492 first left hemisphere stroke patients in rehabilitation centres was 28% (96/338) and in nursing homes 37% (57/154). No relationship was found between the prevalence of apraxia and age, gender or type of stroke (haemorrhage or infarct).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that approximately one-third of left hemisphere stroke patients has apraxia.
Donkervoort
M
M
Netherlands Institute of Primary Health Care, Utrecht. M.Donkervoort@nivel.nl
Dekker
J
J
van den Ende
E
E
Stehmann-Saris
J C
JC
Deelman
B G
BG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001072:Apraxias / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015995:Prevalence; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*