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 rehabilitation. This study explored the contribution of speed of information processing and response latency in the assessment of 39 stroke patients. Functional impairment was assessed among these patients using the Functional Independence Measure, administered within 72 hours of admission to a rehabilitation center. The correlations between the scores on this measure and on a computerized measure of speed of information processing, Cognitive Performance Test, were examined. The Functional Independence Measure can be used with an acute stroke population. Scores are correlated with cognitive indicators of functional impairment, and scores discriminate between severity of functional impairment. These results are discussed with regard to their implication in monitoring stroke patients throughout rehabilitation.