Abstract | OBJECTIVE: DESIGN: Systematic literature search designed in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration criteria with the following data sources: (1) MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Current Contents, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Psyclit, and Sociological Abstracts. (2) Reference lists, personal archives, and consultation of experts. (3) Guidelines. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were: (1) cohort studies of patients with an ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke; (2) inception cohort with assessment of prognostic factors within the first two weeks after stroke; (3) outcome measures for ADL and ambulation; and (4) a follow-up of six months to one year. Internal, statistical and external validity of the studies were assessed using a checklist with 11 methodological criteria in accordance with the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration. RESULTS: From 1,027 potentially relevant studies 26 studies involving a total of 7,850 patients met the inclusion criteria. Incontinence for urine is the only prognostic factor identified in three studies with a level A (i.e., a good level of scientific evidence according to the methodological score). The following factors were found in one level A study: initial ADL disability and ambulation, high age, severe paresis or paralysis, impaired swallowing, ideomotor apraxia, ideational apraxia, and visuospatial construction problems; as well as factors relating to complications of an ischaemic stroke, such as extraparenchymal bleeding, cerebral oedema and size of intraparenchymal haemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: The present evidence concerning possible predictors in the subacute stage of stroke has insufficient quality to make an evidence-based prediction of ADL and ambulation after stroke because only one prognostic factor was demonstrated in at least two level A studies, our cut-off for sufficient scientific evidence.
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Authors | R Meijer, D S Ihnenfeldt, I J M de Groot, J van Limbeek, M Vermeulen, R J de Haan |
Journal | Clinical rehabilitation
(Clin Rehabil)
Vol. 17
Issue 2
Pg. 119-29
(Mar 2003)
ISSN: 0269-2155 [Print] England |
PMID | 12625651
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review, Systematic Review)
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Topics |
- Activities of Daily Living
- Acute Disease
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Humans
- Movement
(physiology)
- Prognosis
- Recovery of Function
(physiology)
- Reproducibility of Results
- Stroke
(physiopathology)
- Stroke Rehabilitation
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