Recovery after stroke: cognition, ADL function and return to work.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the recovery of cognitive function, activities of daily living (ADL) ability and vocational situation after stroke.


METHODS
Subjects below 65 years of age were included. Cognitive function and personal and instrumental ADL were assessed at discharge and at 1 year. Pre-stroke vocational situation was recorded at baseline and at 1 and 3 years after discharge.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight patients participated. During the first year after discharge, cognitive function and ADL ability improved. At 1 year after discharge, 83% still had cognitive dysfunction, 20% were dependent in ADL and few had returned to work. Only 20% returned to gainful employment 3 years later.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a recovery of cognition and ADL function after stroke but few persons returned to work. Good neurological status was found to be a significant factor and recovery of cognitive function a near-significant factor for return to work.
Hofgren
C
C
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. caisa.hofgren@rehab.gu.se
Björkdahl
A
A
Esbjörnsson
E
E
Sunnerhagen
K S
KS
Stibrant-Sunnerhagen
K
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001037:Aphasia / Q000209:etiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors