Comparison of functional recovery and outcome at discharge from subacute inpatient rehabilitation in patients with right or left stroke with and without contralateral spatial neglect

Abstract

Objective: To compare to what extent the presence of contralateral spatial neglect affects functional recovery and outcome among patients with right or left stroke after subacute inpatient rehabilitation. Methods: Observational cohort study comparing functional improvement and outcome. The same admission data-set was used as in part 1 of this study. Results: Right and left stroke rehabilitants with equally mild neglect and those without neglect (a total of 4 subgroups) all improved proportionally as much, but those with neglect, irrespective of stroke side needed a longer stay in inpatient rehabilitation. At discharge, total disability did not differ significantly between the 2 neglect subgroups, but those with left stroke had significantly lower Functional Independence Measure cognitive sub-score and score in communication. Rehabilitants with neglect, irrespective of stroke side had higher motor, cognitive and total disability and were more often institutionalized than those without neglect. Conclusion: Mild neglect did not impair recovery after right or left stroke, but rehabilitants with neglect were more disabled and needed a longer rehabilitation inpatient stay than those without neglect.