THE GOOD SIDE AFTER STROKE - IPSILATERAL SENSORY-MOTOR FUNCTION NEEDSCAREFUL ASSESSMENT

Twenty subjects were examined 4-6 weeks after stroke to establish whet her a sensory-motor ipsilateral deficit occurs early after stroke. Eac h underwent a timed test of repetitive side-to-side movement of both t he upper and lower limbs ipsilateral to the cerebral infarct, and an a ssessment of motor disability using the Motor Assessment Scale. Result s were compared with a group studied almost a year after their stroke, and with 41 age-matched healthy volunteers. There was a significantly worse performance (p < 0.005) on the right ipsilateral side, but not the left ipsilateral side, compared with normal volunteers, a finding similar to that of a group previously studied about a year after the s troke. There was no relationship between the severity of the motor def icit and performance of the 'good' side. This study suggests that ipsi lateral sensory-motor deficit occurs after stroke but only on the righ t side, possibly owing to reduction in cerebral activation as a result of a right hemispheric lesion.These observations have importance in r ehabilitation and education as well as practical skills, including dri ving a car and maintaining balance.