Can Cognitive and Perceptual Standardized Test Scores Predict Functional Performance in Adults Diagnosed with Stroke?: A Pilot Study

Abstract

ABSTRACTStroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, and typically leaves people with impaired cognitive and perceptual faculties. This pilot study assessed three standardized cognitive and visual perceptual assessments for their ability to predict functional performance in adults who have had a stroke—the Neurobehavioural Status Examination (Cognistat), Occupational Therapy Adult Perceptual Screening Test, and the Developmental Test of Visual Perception-Adolescent and Adult. The participants were 27 adults diagnosed as having had a stroke, who were admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation center over a nine-month period. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used to measure their functional performance at discharge from rehabilitation. The results indicate that the “comprehension” and “similarities” subscales of the Cognistat were the best predictors of functional performance as measured by the FIM. A large amount of variance in functional performance remained unexplained by the standardized tests; however, overall and despite their limitations, the tests were able to predict functional performance skills of stroke patients.