Sensory loss in hospital-admitted people with
stroke: characteristics, associated factors, and
relationship with function

Tyson, S; Hanley, M; Chillala, J; Selley, AB; Tallis, RC

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the nature of sensory impairments
after stroke, identify associated factors, and assess the relationships
between sensory impairment, disability, and recovery.
Methods: Prospective cross-sectional survey of 102 people with
hemiparesis following their first stroke. Tactile and proprioceptive
sensation in the affected arm and leg were measured using
the Rivermead Assessment of Somatosensory Perception 2-4
weeks post-stroke. Demographics, stroke pathology, weakness,
neglect, disability, and recovery were documented. Results:
Tactile impairment was more common than proprioceptive (p <
.000), impairment of discrimination was more common than
detection (p < .000), and tactile sensation was more severely
impaired in the leg than the arm (p < .000). No difference in
proprioception between the arm and leg (p = .703) or between
proximal and distal joints (p = .589, p = .705) was found. The
degree of weakness and the degree of stroke severity were significantly
associated with sensory impairment; demographics,
stroke side and type, and neglect were not associated.All the sensory
modalities were significantly related to independence,
mobility, and recovery (r = 0.287 [p < .011] to r = 0.533 [p <
.000]). Conclusion: Sensory impairments of all modalities are
common after stroke, although tactile impairment is more frequent
than proprioceptive loss, especially in the leg. They are
associated with the degree of weakness and the degree of stroke
severity but not demographics, stroke pathology, or neglect, and
they are related to mobility, independence in activities of daily
living (ADL), and recovery.

Citation

relationship with function. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 22(2), 166-172. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968307305523

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Mar 23, 2010
• Journal: Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
• Print ISSN: 1545-9683
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 166-172
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968307305523
• Keywords: Sensation Proprioception Stroke outcomes
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1545968307305523