ASSESSING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COGNITIVE DEFICITS AND FUNCTIONAL BALANCE IN RIGHT ADULT STROKE PATIENTS

We investigated the association between cognitive deficits and the presence of
functional balance problems in right adult stroke patients in order to elucidate a potential role of
cognitive deficits in ADL complications,
Material & Methods: This study was conducted on a total of 20 patients with right adult stroke
patients between 45-65 years old passing at least 6 months from their CVA were recruited through the
outpatient clinic at rehabilitation faculty in Shafa hospital. To study the association between cognitive
deficits and functional balance problems, we assessed the correlation. Functional balance was
measured using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and cognitive abilities were measured by Lowenstein
Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA).
Results: There were meaningful correlation between visual perception, spatial perception, visuomotor
organization, motor praxis, and functional balance (p<0.05). There was no meaningful correlation
between orientation, thinking operations, and functional balance (p>0.05).
Conclusion: There was a significantly positive correlation between cognitive deficits and functional
balance problems in right adult stroke patients, especially in visual perception, spatial perception, and
visuomotor organization. Further, our findings suggest that assessment of cognitive abilities may be
used as a prognostic factor for functional balance problems in ADL activities in right adult stroke
patients.