Factors Associated with Independent Meal Preparation, Self-Care and Mobility in CVA Clients

Abstract

This study compared factors associated with and predictive of performance by stroke clients on two tests, namely a Meal Preparation Scale and the Barthel Index (a measure of independence in self-care and mobility). There is some overlap between factors associated with independent meal preparation and those associated with independence in self-care and mobility. However, motor function in the upper extremity is significantly (.05) more highly correlated with performance of self-care and mobility (r = .47) than with meal preparation (r = .28). Similarly, motor function in the lower extremity is significantly (.05) more highly correlated with performance in self-care and mobility (r = .47) than with meal preparation (r = .07). On the other hand, motor planning is significantly (.05) more highly correlated with meal preparation (r = .51) than with self-care and mobility (r = .28). Motor function in the upper extremity and visual-spatial perception on admission are predictors of future performance in both self-care mobility and meal preparation; but neither function can be predicted accurately using variables measured in this study.