Research article summary (published 2 Nov 2004):

Poststroke "pushing": natural history and relationship to motor and functional recovery.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with hemiparetic stroke have impaired balance control. Some patients ("pushers") are resistant to accepting weight on and actively "push" away from the nonparetic side. This research identified pushers from stroke patients with moderate to severe hemiparesis and examined longitudinal changes in symptoms, level of impairment, and functional independence. METHODS: Prospective sample of hemiparetic stroke patients (n=65) located in Toronto, Canada. Detailed clinical assessments were performed within 10 days postonset, at 6 weeks, and at 3 months. RESULTS: At 1 week after stroke, 63% of patients demonstrated features of pushing. In 62% of pushers, symptoms resolved by 6 weeks, whereas in 21%, pushing symptoms persisted at 3 months. Motor recovery and functional abilities at 3 months were significantly lower among the pushers compared with the nonpushers. Pushers also had a significantly longer hospital length of stay (89 days versus 57 days). It is noteworthy that motor and functional recovery improved significantly over the 3-month study period for both pushers and nonpushers. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of stroke patients with pushing symptoms has prognostic implications for recovery. In light of this potential recovery, rehabilitation specialists need to refine treatment approaches for the pushers to further improve functional outcome.

Author information

Author/s: Danells, Cynthia J (CJ); Black, Sandra E (SE); Gladstone, David J (DJ); McIlroy, William E (WE);

Affiliation: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Centre for Stroke Recovery, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Science Centre, Toronto, Canada.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation (Stroke), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2004-Dec; vol 35 (issue 12) : pp 2873-8

Dates: Created 2004/11/26; Completed 2005/06/24; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 15528459, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Activities of Daily Living Aged Female Humans Locomotion

Male Middle Aged Paresis - etiology; physiopathology Stroke - complications; physiopathology; rehabilitation Weight-Bearing

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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