Evaluation of cognitive assessment in stroke rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of cognitive assessment on the functional outcome of stroke patients and quality of life for both patients and their carers.


METHODS
A multicentre, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Two hundred and twenty-eight stroke patients were recruited from hospital wards in three UK centres.


METHODS
Patients were screened for cognitive impairment and randomly allocated to either routine care (116 patients) or routine care plus a detailed cognitive assessment (112 patients).


METHODS
Outcome was assessed three and six months after recruitment by an independent assessor blind to the intervention on Extended ADL, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire-28 for patients and carers and Carer Strain Index.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between the two groups in patients' functional outcome, perceived cognitive ability, level of psychological distress or satisfaction with care. There was a trend for the assessment group to have lower levels of carer strain (p = 0.06).


CONCLUSIONS
The provision of information about cognitive assessment in stroke rehabilitation may decrease carer strain.
McKinney
M
M
School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park, UK.
Blake
H
H
Treece
K A
KA
Lincoln
N B
NB
Playford
E D
ED
Gladman
J R F
JR
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome