PSYCHOLOGICAL-ASPECTS IN PATIENTS SEVERAL YEARS AFTER STROKE

The author describes his experience with patients after stroke 4.5 (SD = 3.0) years after the affection. The set under study included 28 sub jects 115 males and 13 females), the average age was 62.6 (SD = 10.2) years; the research was realised within the reconditional stay for pat ients after stroke. The control group (N = 28) was equable concerning age, sex, education and marital status. The age of 56% of patients was less than sixty. 35.7% of patients had dextral, 50% sinistral, and 14 .3% the diffuse affection of the brain. On the average, the stroke too k place 4.5 years ago (SD = 3.0); in 90%, it was the first incident. 5 4% of the participants were married, high percentage. (28.6%) being wi dows and widowers. The level of depression was raised (BDI = 16.0, SD = 9.7). Patients after stroke form a group menaced long-termedly by de pression. As opposed to healthy people, the psychomotor rate in Trail Making test (Part A, M = 78, SD = 43) and flexibility (Part B, M = 235 , SD = 134) were markedly affected (p < 0.001), in connection with vis ual dysgnosia of figures and letters. Patients also scored statistical ly high significantly lower in Information subtest (p < 0.001), though the means of both groups were in the standard zone. This difference c an be explained by aphatic problems of patients and the test is not re commended for assessing the intellectual level in patients with disabl ed brain. In the Aphasias Screening Test (AST), the experimental group was affected in 7.3 categories (SD = 4.5), the control group only in 0.6 categories (SD = 1.0, p < 0.001). The author recommends the Aphasi as Screening Test as a valid instrument for diagnosing the speech diso rders. The need for long-term neuropsychology rehabilitation of person s after stroke is pointed out.