Article

A thorough understanding of the presence of different upper-limb
somatosensory deficits poststroke and the relation with motor performance remains
unclear. Additionally, knowledge about the relation between somatosensory
deficits and visuospatial neglect is limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
distribution of upper-limb somatosensory impairments and the association with
unimanual and bimanual motor outcomes and visuospatial neglect. METHODS: A
cross-sectional observational study was conducted, including 122 patients within
6 months after stroke (median = 82 days; interquartile range = 57-133 days).
Somatosensory measurement included the Erasmus MC modification of the (revised)
Nottingham Sensory Assessment (Em-NSA), Perceptual Threshold of Touch (PTT),
thumb finding test, 2-point discrimination, and stereognosis subscale of the NSA.
Upper-limb motor assessment comprised the Fugl-Meyer assessment, motricity index,
Action Research Arm Test, and Adult-Assisting Hand Assessment Stroke. Screening
for visuospatial neglect was performed using the Star Cancellation Test. RESULTS:
Upper-limb somatosensory impairments were common, with prevalence rates ranging
from 21% to 54%. Low to moderate Spearman rho correlations were found between
somatosensory and motor deficits (r = 0.22-0.61), with the strongest associations
for PTT (r = 0.56-0.61) and stereognosis (r = 0.51-0.60). Visuospatial neglect
was present in 27 patients (22%). Between-group analysis revealed somatosensory
deficits that occurred significantly more often and more severely in patients
with visuospatial neglect (P < .05). Results showed consistently stronger
correlations between motor and somatosensory deficits in patients with
visuospatial neglect (r = 0.44-0.78) compared with patients without neglect (r = 0.08-0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Somatosensory impairments are common in subacute
patients poststroke and are related to motor outcome. Visuospatial neglect was
associated with more severe upper-limb somatosensory impairments.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS