ABSTRACT
Stroke patients often experience cognitive dysfunctions. One of the parameters assessing cognitive function is the reaction time as it reflects the speed of information processing. The aim of the study was to assess cognitive and psychomotor dysfunctions and the effectiveness of rehabilitation in stroke patients. The subjects of the study were 30 stroke patients who underwent rehabilitation at the Department of Neurorehabilitation. The mean age of patients was 65.33+/-13.2 years. During the study, the patients' cognitive functions, the handgrip strength, reaction time, and frequency of movements were assessed. There was a substantial improvement in patients' cognitive function after rehabilitation. Assessing the results obtained by Mini Mental State Examination, the change was 6.4+/-2.3 points, and assessing by Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (Cognistat), the change was 13.3+/-10 points (P<0.05). Before the early stage of rehabilitation, Cognistat results showed that the majority of the patients experienced memory loss, diminished constructive abilities, and disorientation. After occupational therapy, there was a statistically significant improvement in all cognitive function domains. At the end of the inpatient rehabilitation period, there was a significant change in patients' reaction time and movement frequency. At the end of early rehabilitation stage, the estimated reaction time in patients with stroke was compared with reaction time in healthy elderly people of the same age. There was no significant difference between these groups; consequently, we concluded that after rehabilitation, improvement of function was achieved. The results of this study showed that at the beginning of early rehabilitation period and after rehabilitation applied, there was a significant moderate correlation between mental state and reaction time in stroke patients.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/rehabilitation , Occupational Therapy , Stroke Rehabilitation , Stroke/physiopathology , Aged , Hand Strength , Humans , Memory Disorders/rehabilitation , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Psychomotor Performance , Reaction Time , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The aim of our study was to evaluate the disturbances of activities and participation of inpatients after stroke and myocardium infarction. Activities and participation disorders were evaluated by international classification of functioning, disability and health. Our study material consisted of inpatients after stroke (I group) and inpatients after myocardium infarction (II group). The age average was 70.4+/-7.4 years in the first group and 65.7+/-11.7 years in the second group. Activities and participation were respected by the following scale: 0--no difficulty, 1--mild difficulty, 2--moderate difficulty, 3--severe difficulty, 4--complete difficulty. We determined, that changing and maintaining body position, learning to write, moving around activities were the most confused (3-4); thinking and copying were confused moderately (2) in the first group. Changing and maintaining body position, focusing attention, calculating and handling stress activities were confused moderately (2) in the second group. International classification of functioning, disability and health allows evaluating activity limitations and participation restrictions in blood circulation disorders. We noticed, that basic learning, applying knowledge, general tasks and demands, communication, maintaining a body position, and self-care were more confused in patients after stroke. Moving around, focusing attention, and handling stress were more confused in patients after myocardium infarction. It is important to evaluate activity limitation and participation restrictions for determining the extent of rehabilitation.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Myocardial Infarction/rehabilitation , Stroke Rehabilitation , Aged , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Male , Middle Aged , Social Adjustment , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
According to the data of the State Committee for Social-Medical Examination we analyzed general disability during 5-year period (1997-2001). Primary disability due to musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases in Lithuania is in the second disease place in structure of disability. This article describes the possibilities of rehabilitation of patiens with musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases.
Subject(s)
Connective Tissue Diseases/rehabilitation , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Musculoskeletal Diseases/rehabilitation , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Child , Connective Tissue Diseases/epidemiology , Connective Tissue Diseases/physiopathology , Exercise Movement Techniques , Female , Humans , Lithuania/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology , Musculoskeletal Diseases/physiopathology , Physical Therapy Modalities , Range of Motion, ArticularABSTRACT
In this article we analyze influence of rehabilitation methods in treatment of arm lymphedema. In Kaunas oncological hospital were examined 60 women after surgery for breast cancer. The work objective was to evaluate efficiency of rehabilitation methods in treatment of arm lymphedema and in evaluate movement amplitude of shoulder joint. Two groups of women depending on rehabilitation start were evaluated. The same methods of rehabilitation were applied to both groups: physical therapy, electrostimulation, massage, lymphodrainage with apparate. Our study indicated that women, who were treated at early period of rehabilitation (3 months), showed statistically significantly (p < 0.01) better results in increase of movement amplitude of shoulder joint. However, results of treatment of arm lymphedema, comparing with women who started rehabilitation after 12 months, were equally successful--results were not statistically significantly better (p > 0.05).