Neurologic examination in stroke rehabilitation: adequacy of its description in clinical textbooks.

Medical textbooks were reviewed to establish how well they presented those aspects of examination of the nervous system which are important in stroke rehabilitation. In addition, information was sought concerning such factors as the presence of instructions for the examiner and patient, grading and interpretation of results, and the importance of observer variation which can influence results of periodic neurologic examination of stroke patients. Study results demonstrated that the description of the neurologic examination which should be used in stroke rehabilitation was often incomplete and poorly defined. Material provided little interpretation for the physical signs which might be found. Factors which might influence results of periodic examination of the nervous system in stroke patients received little attention. There is an urgent need to develop a standardized form of clinical examination to meet the needs of practitioners who assess neurologic status in stroke rehabilitation.