Information-processing speed and assessment of early response latency among stroke patients

The development of assessment methods for estimating and predicting amount of functional impairment among stroke patients is important for planning re habilitation. This study explored the contribution of speed of information processing and response latency in the assessment of 39 stroke patients. Fu nctional impairment was assessed among tilt-se patients using the Functiona l Independence Measure, administered within 72 hours of admission to a reha bilitation center. The correlations between the scores on this measure and on a computerized measure of speed of information processing, Cognitive Per formance Test, were examined. The Functional Independence Measure can be us ed with an acute stroke population. Scores are correlated with cognitive in dicators of functional impairment, and scores discriminate between severity of functional impairment. These results are discussed with regard to their implication iii monitoring stroke patients throughout rehabilitation.