ORIGINAL ARTICLE   Free access

European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2019 December;55(6):722-7

DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.19.05448-0

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Lower Tinetti scores can support an early diagnosis of spatial neglect in post-stroke patients

Paola COLOMBO ¹, Giovanni TAVEGGIA ¹, Deborah CHIESA ¹ ✉, Rachele PENATI ², Monica TIBONI ³, Liala DE ARMAS ¹, Roberto CASALE ⁴

¹ Unit of Rehabilitation, Faccanoni Hospital, Habilita Care&Research Hospitals, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy; ² Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; ³ Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; ⁴ Istituto di Neuroriabilitazione ad Alta Complessità, Habilita Care&Research Hospitals, Zingonia di Ciserano, Bergamo, Italy

BACKGROUND: Neglect represents a severe complication of stroke, which impairs patients’ daily activities. An early diagnosis of neglect is fundamental for management decisions.
AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the Tinetti Test as an outcome of spatial neglect in post-stroke patients.
DESIGN: Observational retrospective data analysis.
SETTING: Rehabilitation Hospital.
POPULATION: Cohort of post-stroke adults admitted in our Rehabilitation Unit.
METHODS: One hundred and sixty stroke patients were evaluated between the 1st of January 2015 and the 31st of December 2016 at our Department. Eighty-nine inpatients matched the inclusion criteria. Their scores of the Tinetti Test for balance condition and gait function were compared with Bells Test and line bisection task for spatial neglect. Global independence activity was also assessed using Barthel Index and global cognitive functioning by means of the Mini-Mental State Examination.
RESULTS: Twenty-two patients between the 89 patients included in this study were affected by spatial neglect at admission. A high statistical significant correlation was observed between lower Tinetti scores and neglect presence (mean Tinetti Score: 2.36 neglect; 7.82 non-neglect; P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The Tinetti Test is a well-established assessment scale to measure balance ability and gait function in post-stroke patients. Results from this study suggest that Tinetti Test may be considered as an early ecological screening tool for the diagnosis of neglect in post-stroke patients.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The alternative use of the Tinetti Test for the diagnosis of spatial neglect.

KEY WORDS: Perceptual disorders; Stroke; Early diagnosis