Attention deficits after incident stroke in the acute period: frequency across types of attention and relationships to patient characteristics and functional outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Attention deficits are common post stroke and result in poorer functional outcomes. This study examined the frequency of attention deficits after incident stroke and their correlates.


METHODS
Attention of 94 stroke survivors was assessed using the Bells test, Trails Making Test A/B, 2.4- and 2.0-second trials of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), and Integrated Auditory Visual Continuous Performance Test (IVA-CPT) within 3 weeks post stroke. Wider functioning was assessed using the Medical Short Form-36 (SF-36) Physical and Mental Component Summary scores (PCS and MCS), London Handicap Scale, Modified Rankin Scale, General Health Questionnaire-28, and Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ).


RESULTS
Most participants were impaired or very impaired on the IVA-CPT (z scores ≯ 3 SDs below normative mean) but not other attention measures. Functional independence and cognitive screening test (Mini-Mental State Examination) performance were significantly related to IVA-CPT, Trails A/B, and Bells tests but not PASAT. Better performance across the Bells test was related to better SF-36 PCS, whereas Trails A and the PASAT were related to SF-36 MCS. Better CFQ naming was related to Trails B, whereas worse CFQ memory was related to better PASAT performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Attention deficits are common post stroke, though frequency varies widely across the forms of attention assessed, with tests of neglect and speeded attention tasks being linked to quality of life. This variability of performance and linking to wider outcomes suggests the need for comprehensive assessment of attention and that attention is a viable target for rehabilitative efforts.
Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Suzanne L
SL
Barker-Collo
Valery L
VL
Feigin
Carlene M M
CM
Lawes
Varsha
V
Parag
Hugh
H
Senior
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors