Britta Nijsse1, Jacoba M Spikman2, Johanna M Visser-Meily3, Paul L de Kort1, Caroline M van Heugten4. 1. Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Department of Neurology, Tilburg, The Netherlands. 2. Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. 3. Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, collaboration between University Medical Center Utrecht and Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: c.vanheugten@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the presence of social cognition deficits and the relationship between social and general cognition (eg, attention, mental speed, verbal, visual, or memory abilities) in a large sample of chronic stroke patients and to identify stroke-related factors associated with social cognitive performance. DESIGN: Inception cohort study in which social cognition was assessed at 3-4 years post stroke. SETTING: Stroke units in 6 general hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: The data of 148 patients were available. Fifty controls without stroke (consisting of partners of patients and acquaintances of researchers) were recruited (N=198). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients underwent neuropsychological assessment by means of tests for social cognition (emotion recognition, theory of mind [ToM], empathy, and behavior regulation) and general cognition. Subgroup analysis was performed to compare right hemisphere stroke patients with left hemisphere stroke patients. Correlations between general and social cognition tests were assessed. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify demographic and stroke-related predictors of social cognitive performance. RESULTS: Patients performed significantly worse on emotion recognition (assessed with the Ekman 60-Faces test on total score as well as on the emotion anger), ToM (assessed with the Cartoon test), and behavior regulation (assessed with the Hayling test). Subgroup analysis revealed no differences between right and left hemisphere patients. Social cognition tests showed significant correlations with each other and with tests for visual perception, language, mental speed, cognitive flexibility, and memory. Older age, low level of education (and for ToM, also female sex) were predictors of worse performance on social cognition tests. CONCLUSION: Social cognition impairments are present in the long term post stroke, even in a group of mildly affected stroke patients, which may contribute to their long-term problems. Severity of impairments is determined mainly by demographic factors.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the presence of social cognition deficits and the relationship between social and general cognition (eg, attention, mental speed, verbal, visual, or memory abilities) in a large sample of chronic strokepatients and to identify stroke-related factors associated with social cognitive performance. DESIGN: Inception cohort study in which social cognition was assessed at 3-4 years post stroke. SETTING:Stroke units in 6 general hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: The data of 148 patients were available. Fifty controls without stroke (consisting of partners of patients and acquaintances of researchers) were recruited (N=198). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients underwent neuropsychological assessment by means of tests for social cognition (emotion recognition, theory of mind [ToM], empathy, and behavior regulation) and general cognition. Subgroup analysis was performed to compare right hemisphere strokepatients with left hemisphere strokepatients. Correlations between general and social cognition tests were assessed. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify demographic and stroke-related predictors of social cognitive performance. RESULTS:Patients performed significantly worse on emotion recognition (assessed with the Ekman 60-Faces test on total score as well as on the emotion anger), ToM (assessed with the Cartoon test), and behavior regulation (assessed with the Hayling test). Subgroup analysis revealed no differences between right and left hemisphere patients. Social cognition tests showed significant correlations with each other and with tests for visual perception, language, mental speed, cognitive flexibility, and memory. Older age, low level of education (and for ToM, also female sex) were predictors of worse performance on social cognition tests. CONCLUSION:Social cognition impairments are present in the long term post stroke, even in a group of mildly affected strokepatients, which may contribute to their long-term problems. Severity of impairments is determined mainly by demographic factors.
Authors: Stefan Strilciuc; Diana Alecsandra Grad; Constantin Radu; Diana Chira; Adina Stan; Marius Ungureanu; Adrian Gheorghe; Fior-Dafin Muresanu Journal: J Med Life Date: 2021 Sep-Oct
Authors: Sara Khosdelazad; Lieke S Jorna; Skye McDonald; Sandra E Rakers; Rients B Huitema; Anne M Buunk; Jacoba M Spikman Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-10-28 Impact factor: 3.240