Type of Project: Funded project Study
The relevance of planning and action impairments for social and vocational rehabilitation in stroke patients (2nd period)

Successful planning and action performance is a complex ability which implies formulating, conceptualising and realising desires, needs and intentions. The occurrence of a cerebral vascular stroke may severely impair this ability and have an important impact on the social and vocational reintegration of stroke patients. Despite its relevance, there are currently no long term studies investigating this issue.

The purpose of the study was to investigate to what extent planning and action impairments after the occurrence of a stroke affect the social and vocational rehabilitation of such patients, and whether there are prognostic factors indicative of social and vocational reintegration.

108 stroke patients planning disorders (target group), 49 stroke patients without planning disorders (control group 1) and 39 traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with planning disorders (control group 2) were compared neuropsychological measures of planning functions, memory and attention at time of admission and 12 and 36 month after discharge from neurological rehabilitation. Rating scales to describe motor, cognitive and psychosocial status were administeres at time of admission, and 6, 12, 36, and 54 month after discharge from neurological rehabilitation.

Findings of the first period of the study indicate that planning disorders have a negative effect on vocational outcome for stroke patients. Instruments that tap motor abilities, divided attention, alertness and some aspects of execution functions seemed to be good prognostic factors for vocational outcome.

These findings provide evidence for a relatively brief period of time considering the long neurological rehabilitation process. The continuation of the study for another 3 years will demonstrate whether the current findings are also valid for a longer rehabilitation period.