Predicting self-perceived manual ability at three and six months after stroke: A prospective longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND

Recovery of manual ability is a critical issue in rehabilitation. Currently, little is known regarding the baseline predictors of self-perceived manual ability, which could capture information on individual's perceived functional ability, especially in carrying-out routine tasks outside clinical settings.

OBJECTIVE

To identify baseline predictors, which can be easily obtained within clinical settings, of self-perceived manual ability at three and six months after discharge from a stroke unit.

METHODS

A 6-month longitudinal study was carried-out. Participants were recruited from a stroke unit of a public hospital. The dependent outcome was self-perceived manual ability, and the following predictors were investigated: age, stroke severity, upper-limb motor impairments, cognitive function, muscle strength, and functional capacity. Linear regression analyses were employed to identify multivariate predictors of manual ability at three and six months after discharge (α=5%).

RESULTS

Participated 131 individuals, 69 women (mean age of 60 years). Regression analyses revealed that stroke severity and age accounted for 31% and 47% of the variance in manual ability at three and six months after stroke, respectively. Stroke severity was the best predictor of manual ability at three (R=29%; F=44.7; p<0.0001) and six months (R=45%; F=88.2; p<0.0001) after stroke, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Stroke severity showed to be the best predictor of manual ability at both three and six months after stroke. Although significant, age added little to the explained variance.