Article

Ideomotor apraxia (IMA) is characterized by the inability to
correctly imitate hand gestures and voluntarily pantomime tool use.
The relationship between IMA and characteristics of stroke has not been totally
elucidated. This study aimed to find out associations between presence
of IMA and stroke etiology, site of the lesions, neglect, and temporal and
functional parameters of stroke in patients with first ever stroke. METHODS:
Thirty-nine patients with first ever stroke were included. Patients with severe
cognitive deficits were excluded. Assessment tools included Ideomotor Apraxia
Test, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Brunnstrom recovery stages, Mini
Mental Test (MMT), and star cancellation test. Etiology (hemorrhagic or ischemic)
and site of stroke was assessed through brain imaging methods. Location and size
of ischemic lesion was determined by using the Oxfordshire Community Stroke
Project system. RESULTS: IMA was identified in 35.9% of the patients. Patients
with IMA had significantly lower FIM scores both on admission and discharge (P =
0.001, P = 0.001). Presence of IMA was significantly associated with the presence
of neglect (P = 0.004), total anterior circulation ischemia (TACI) (P < 0.001),
and lower MMT scores (P < 0.001). Lesion site, patient age, time since onset, and
stroke etiology had no impact on the presence of IMA. CONCLUSION: IMA was in
concordance with poor cognitive and functional state and was not limited to left
hemisphere lesions. The study revealed strong associations between IMA, neglect,
and TACI. Every patient with stroke should be evaluated for the presence of IMA
on admission to rehabilitation unit.

Langue : ANGLAIS