Memory Functioning in ‘Good Recovery’ Stroke

Authors: Jain A*, Mahour P, Malhotra HS and Sharma E

Volume 3, Issue 1

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to assess memory functioning in patients after a first symptomatic stroke without previous cognitive decline and with a good motor, linguistic, and functional recovery (i.e. ‘good recovery’). Methodology: The study was cross-sectional. Subjects were three months or more post stroke patients (both ischemic and hemorrhagic) having ‘good recovery,’ taken from out-patient services of Dept. of Neurology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. PGI Memory Scale by Pershad, et al. was used to assess memory functioning. Hindi Mental Status Examination (HMSE) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to screen for dementia and functional independence respectively. All data were analysed using chi square test and Kruskal Wallis H test. Fisher’s exact value was used where cell value was small. Result: The sample consisted of 30 subjects, 22 (73.3%) males and 08 (26.7%) females. Differences in memory functioning were seen in terms of age, gender and duration since stroke. On average, 63% of the sample had significant memory deficits in several areas of memory functioning. Some of these differences were found to be significant in terms of gender and duration since stroke but not for age. Conclusion: The study found that the patients being considered as asymptomatic were, infact, exhibiting a multidomain memory impairment that could impact return to life as before stroke. The study throws light on the importance and necessity of regular monitoring and management of cognitive dysfunction in such patients.

Keywords: Memory functioning; Stroke; Cognitive decline; Deficits; Neuropsychology; Cross sectional

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