Does the presence of ideomotor apraxia in stroke patients adversely affect rehabilitation outcomes? A prospective study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Ideomotor apraxia is an inability to perform a gesture following a verbal command despite having intact knowledge of the task. The presence of ideomotor apraxia may negatively affect functional outcome of stroke patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ideomotor apraxia on rehabilitation outcomes following first ever stroke. Methods: A cross sectional observational study of 35 stroke patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit for treatment. Patients were evaluated for ideomotor apraxia using the ideomotor apraxia test. Function was assessed before and after treatment using the Functional Independence Measure, motricity index and functional ambulation scale. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Functional Independence Measure and mini mental state examination. Results: Ideomotor apraxia was present in 31.4% of patients. Mean Functional Independence Measure motor and cognitive scores of apraxic patients on admission and at discharge were lower than those of non-apraxic patients, (p<0.05). The cognitive and total Functional Independence Measure scores and motricity scores in the ideomotor apraxia group on discharge had not reached the admission values of the non-ideomotor apraxia group.

Conclusion: The presence of ideomotor apraxia following stroke has a negative impact on overall function, both before and after rehabilitation, when compared to stroke patients without ideomotor apraxia. Stroke patients must be assessed for ideomotor apraxia prior to commencement of a rehabilitation program in order to guide treatment and determine realistic treatment goals.