Sensory loss in hospital-admitted people with stroke: characteristics, associated factors, and relationship with function.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the nature of sensory impairments after stroke, identify associated factors, and assess the relationships between sensory impairment, disability, and recovery.


METHODS
Prospective cross-sectional survey of 102 people with hemiparesis following their first stroke. Tactile and proprioceptive sensation in the affected arm and leg were measured using the Rivermead Assessment of Somatosensory Perception 2-4 weeks post-stroke. Demographics, stroke pathology, weakness, neglect, disability, and recovery were documented.


RESULTS
Tactile impairment was more common than proprioceptive (P < .000), impairment of discrimination was more common than detection (P < .000), and tactile sensation was more severely impaired in the leg than the arm ( P < .000). No difference in proprioception between the arm and leg (P = .703) or between proximal and distal joints (P = .589, P = .705) was found. The degree of weakness and the degree of stroke severity were significantly associated with sensory impairment; demographics, stroke side and type, and neglect were not associated. All the sensory modalities were significantly related to independence, mobility, and recovery (r = 0.287 [P < .011] to r = 0.533 [P < .000]).


CONCLUSIONS
Sensory impairments of all modalities are common after stroke, although tactile impairment is more frequent than proprioceptive loss, especially in the leg. They are associated with the degree of weakness and the degree of stroke severity but not demographics, stroke pathology, or neglect, and they are related to mobility, independence in activities of daily living, and recovery.
Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research, University of Salford, United Kingdom. s.tyson@ salford.ac.uk
Sarah F
SF
Tyson
Marie
M
Hanley
Jay
J
Chillala
Andrea B
AB
Selley
Raymond C
RC
Tallis
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005121:Extremities / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011434:Proprioception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014110:Touch