title: Balance and Mobility as Predictors of Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of patients with cognitive impairment following stroke is increasing due to the rise in the number of stroke survivors. Health authorities highlight the need for prediction and early diagnostics. The aims of this study were to investigate if balance and mobility may predict cognitive impairment 1 year after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were patients with first-ever stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The exclusion criteria were pre-stroke cognitive impairment and dementia. Measurements of balance comprised the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Figure of Eight test (Fig8). Mobility was measured by maximum walking speed and the Timed Up and Go test. Dementia and mild cognitive impairment were merged into a main outcome: cognitive impairment. Unadjusted and adjusted multivariate logistic regression models were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eighty subjects performed balance and mobility measures at baseline, and 158 participated in the follow-up; 13 died and 9 did not complete the follow-up. Two variables made a significant contribution in the adjusted analyses (Fig8, BBS). The strongest predictor of cognitive impairment was Fig8 with an odds ratio of 1.06.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of Fig8 and BBS measured in the acute phase of stroke were predictors of cognitive impairment 1 year later in this cohort of first-ever stroke or TIA.
authors.affiliation: Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken, Gjettum, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Marie Helene
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ursin
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergland
authors.affiliation: The Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Brynjar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fure
authors.affiliation: Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken, Gjettum, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Audhild
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tørstad
authors.affiliation: Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken, Gjettum, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Arnljot
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tveit
authors.affiliation: Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken, Gjettum, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Hege
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ihle-Hansen
keywords: Balance; Dementia; Mild cognitive impairment; Mobility; Post-stroke cognitive impairment; Stroke