A 2-year prospective follow?up study of temporal changes associated with post-stroke cognitive impairment

초록

Purpose To explore temporal patterns of change in cognitive impairments during the 2 years following stroke and to identify factors that affect these temporal changes Methods A non?experimental, prospective, longitudinal descriptive study design. Fifty?two stroke patients were enrolled. Cognitive function was evaluated at 5 different times (immediately, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post?stroke). Temporal patterns of changes in overall and individual domains of cognitive function during the 2 years after stroke were analysed by repeated measures analysis of variance (RM?ANOVA). Changes in PSCI incidence rates during the study period and the factors that influenced such changes were determined by repeated measures logistic analysis. Results Significant changes in cognitive function following stroke exhibited an “s?shaped” curve, and the most rapid changes were observed between 3 and 6 months after stroke. The incidence of post?stroke cognitive impairment ranged from 23.1% to 42.3% and was highest at 3 months and lowest at 6 months. Gender, educational level, pre?stroke cognitive and functional abilities, haematoma, and brain surgery were associated with incidence of post ?stroke cognitive impairment. Conclusions The ongoing changes exhibited by patterns of cognitive impairment provide evidence that consistent efforts are required to achieve positive changes in post?stroke cognitive function. Our findings may be helpful to develop nursing care strategies aimed at improving cognitive ability and consequently the quality of life of stroke patients