Cognition in relation to independency in older, comorbid stroke patients in a stroke unit.
The objective of this study was to ascertain if cognition helps to predict functional outcome in older comorbid stroke patients with severe loss of independence.



This is a cross-sectional study.



The subjects of this study are patients who have suffered a stroke and who rehabilitated in the nursing homes' rehabilitation units and patients (n = 160) (mean age: 77; SD: 9.5) with a mean Barthel Index of 11.02.



Demographic, illness-related, functional and cognitive data were selected at baseline.



Functional abilities were tested using the Barthel Index. Cognitive functions were assessed using a wide variety of neuropsychological tests.



Patients faced cognitive impairments especially in executive functioning and memory. Stepwise linear regression analysis shows that executive functioning (p = 0.050) and memory (p = 0.000; confidence interval -1.255, -0.403) are significantly associated with functional outcome.



From a clinical point of view, we suggest combining physical and cognitive training from the very early phase of recovery.
Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, The Netherlands.|Free University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Marleen
M
Huijben-Schoenmakers
Free University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Arno
A
Rademaker
Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Erik
E
Scherder
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000523:psychology*
cognition; executive function; memory and functional outcome; rehabilitation; stroke