The recovery of perceptual problems after stroke and the impact on daily life

Abstract

The frequency of perceptual problems in stroke patients and the impact of daily life, were assessed at one month and two years after onset of the stroke. Ninety patients were assessed on the Rivermead Perceptual Assessment Battery (RPAB) and an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale. Perceptual problems were identified in 69% of patients on the one month assessment and in 74% of patients on the two-year assessment. There was no significant difference in the frequency or severity of perceptual problems, between the two assessments. Significant improvement occurred in activities such as mobility, preparing a hot drink and crossing a road. There remained a significantly high correlation between perceptual problems and independence in activities of daily living.