Charlotta Hamre1,2,3,4, Brynjar Fure5,6,7, Jorunn Lægdheim Helbostad8, Torgeir Bruun Wyller2,3, Hege Ihle-Hansen2,4, Georgios Vlachos4, Marie Helene Ursin9, Gro Gujord Tangen2,10,11. 1. Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Oslo, Norway. 2. Department of Geriatric Medicine, OUS, Oslo, Norway. 3. Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo (UiO), Oslo, Norway. 4. Department of Neurology, OUS, Oslo, Norway. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, Central Hospital, Karlstad, Sweden. 6. Department of Neurology, Central Hospital, Karlstad and Örebro, Sweden. 7. School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. 8. Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. 9. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken Trust, Bærum, Norway. 10. Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tönsberg, Norway. 11. Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, UiO, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
Background: Spatial navigation, the ability to determine and maintain a route from one place to another, is needed for independence in everyday life. Knowledge about impairments in spatial navigation in people with mild stroke is scarce. Objectives: To explore impairments in spatial navigation in patients ≤70 years after first-ever mild ischemic stroke (NIHSS≤3) and to explore which variables are associated with these impairments 12 months later. Methods: Patients were examined in the acute phase, and after 3 and 12 months. To assess impairments in spatial navigation, we used the Floor Maze Test (FMT), with time and FMT-errors as outcomes. Patients' perceived navigational skills were collected using self-report. Logistic regression was used to explore which variables (sociodemographic data, stroke characteristics, cognition, and mobility) were associated with impaired navigation ability. Results: Ninety-seven patients (20 females) were included. The mean (SD) age was 55.5 (11.4) years. Timed FMT improved significantly from the acute phase to 12 months (p = <.001). At 12 months, 24 (24.7%) of the participants walked through the maze with errors, and 22 (22.7%) reported spatial navigational problems. The Trail Making Test (TMT)-B was the only variable from the acute phase associated with FMT-errors at 12 months, and being female was the only variable associated with self-reported navigational problems at 12 months. Conclusion: Nearly one in four patients experienced spatial navigation problems 12 months after a mild stroke. Executive function (TMT-B), measured in the acute phase, was associated with navigational impairments (FMT-errors) at 12 months, and being female was associated with self-reported navigational problems.
Background: Spatial navigation, the ability to determine and maintain a route from one place to another, is needed for independence in everyday life. Knowledge about impairments in spatial navigation in people with mild stroke is scarce. Objectives: To explore impairments in spatial navigation in patients ≤70 years after first-ever mild ischemic stroke (NIHSS≤3) and to explore which variables are associated with these impairments 12 months later. Methods:Patients were examined in the acute phase, and after 3 and 12 months. To assess impairments in spatial navigation, we used the Floor Maze Test (FMT), with time and FMT-errors as outcomes. Patients' perceived navigational skills were collected using self-report. Logistic regression was used to explore which variables (sociodemographic data, stroke characteristics, cognition, and mobility) were associated with impaired navigation ability. Results: Ninety-seven patients (20 females) were included. The mean (SD) age was 55.5 (11.4) years. Timed FMT improved significantly from the acute phase to 12 months (p = <.001). At 12 months, 24 (24.7%) of the participants walked through the maze with errors, and 22 (22.7%) reported spatial navigational problems. The Trail Making Test (TMT)-B was the only variable from the acute phase associated with FMT-errors at 12 months, and being female was the only variable associated with self-reported navigational problems at 12 months. Conclusion: Nearly one in four patients experienced spatial navigation problems 12 months after a mild stroke. Executive function (TMT-B), measured in the acute phase, was associated with navigational impairments (FMT-errors) at 12 months, and being female was associated with self-reported navigational problems.
Entities:
Keywords:
Mild stroke; performance-based; self-report; spatial navigation; working age
Authors: Vaisakh Puthusseryppady; Sol Morrissey; Min Hane Aung; Gillian Coughlan; Martyn Patel; Michael Hornberger Journal: JMIR Aging Date: 2022-04-21