To investigate the effects of Computerized Neuropsychologic Test (CNT) on cognitive function and daily life performance in subacute post-stroke patients with cognitive impairment.

Korean Mini-Mentals State Examination (K-MMSE), Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) were investigated in 125 subacute post-stroke patients with cognitive impairment. We analyzed K-MMSE and K-MBI which were conducted 63 patients who had received CNT and 62 patient who had not received CNT from baseline to 8 weeks follow-up. In the experimental group, initial K-MMSE and K-MBI were conducted 13.3 ± 6.8 weeks after the onset of stroke and their age was 63.4 ± 13.3. In the control group, initial K-MMSE and K-MBI were conducted 13.2 ± 7.7 weeks after the onset of stroke and their age was 65.1 ± 11.6.

The 8 weeks follow-up total K-MMSE score and total K-MBI score of experimental group were significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05). In K-MMSE subsection, orientation, judgement, recall, language & visual reconstruction were significantly higher in experimental group than control group (P < 0.05). In K-MBI subsection, personal hygiene, bathing self, toilet, dressing, ambulation, chair/bed transfer were significantly higher in experimental group than control group (P < 0.05). The change of total K-MMSE score of experimental group was significantly correlated with change of total K-MBI score (P < 0.05), but control group was not (P > 0.05). In K-MMSE subsection, change of orientation, registration, language and visual reconstruction were correlated with total K-MBI s core after CNT. Especially, the experimental group, total K-MBI score of the left hemisphere damage group was significantly higher than the right hemisphere damage group (P < 0.05).

This study shows that CNT is effective on subacute post-stroke patients with cognitive impairment. Improvement of cognitive function can expect a positive outcome on daily life performance, in particular, it can be expected to improve the prognosis of patients with stroke, the left hemisphere lesions.

Shoulder subluxation is common complication after stroke. And it can result in delayed neurological recovery in hemiplegic stroke patients. The aim of this study is identifying the incidence and associating factors of shoulder subluxation in stroke patients.

Stroke patients from 1 rehabilitation center from January 2008 to January 2012 were enrolled in the present study. The basic demographic data were registered at the time of admission or transfer to rehabilitation center. To assess the shoulder subluxation, we have used fingers'breadth method and plain radiography. We diagnosed shoulder subluxation with vertical distance (VD) were more than 12.4cm on plain anteroposteior view. And then shoulder subluxation was analyzed with associated factors.

Of 154 stroke patients, this retrospective study included 109 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 28 patients had shoulder subluxation. After univariated analysis, shoulder subluxation was significantly associated with motor power of shoulder and elbow, loss of proprioception, stroke duration and functional ability. Especially elbow extensor less than poor grade is mostly related to shoulder subluxation among the motor powers. Then multivariated analysis was carried out including all significant subjects, elbow extensor less than poor grade, loss of proprioception and stroke duration more than 6 months were related to shoulder subluxation.

Post stroke shoulder subluxation was commonly observed, and the incidence was 25.6% in this study. Shoulder subluxation was correlated with muscle power of elbow(less than F grade), loss of proprioception and stroke duration more than 6 months

Gender is an important determinant for risk factors and outcomes of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to compare risk factors, and clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke between male and female patients.

The hospital records of patients with ischemic stroke were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, stroke risk factors, clinical severities and outcomes after stroke were collected and compared between male and female patients. Stroke severity and clinical disability after ischemic stroke were evaluated by means of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) respectively.

Among 447 patients with ischemic stroke, 195 (43.6%) patients were women. The mean age at ischemic stroke was higher in women than in men (p<0.01). As compared to men, women had a significantly lower prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, smoking and drinking (all p<0.01). NIHSS and mRS scores were not different between the 2 genders.

Profiles of risk factors differed between the 2 genders, with men having a higher prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, smoking and drinking. There were no gender differences in stroke severity and disability after ischemic stroke.