Differences of locomotion function between left and right cerebral hemispheric lesions in ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the long-term functional outcome in patients with ischemic stroke, and to investigate whether there is a functional difference between the left and the right cerebral hemispheric lesion. Methods: 489 subjects who had supratentorial ischemic lesions ≥20 mm in diameter by MRI. We sent a mailed questionnaire to these patients two years after stroke onset. Two hundred and ninety-one patients responded to our letters. One hundred and fifty patients had left cerebral hemispheric lesion (LHL), and 141 had right hemispheric lesion (RHL). We graded the stage of the locomotion function into 5 categories: normal, walk alone with cane and/or brace, walk with aid, wheelchair, and bedridden. Results: were as follows; 1) There was no significant difference of locomotion function between LHL and RHL at the time of discharge as well as 2 years after onset, although patients with RHL had a tendency to poor prognosis for bathing activities and dressing activities (p=0.0994, p=0.0728, respectively). 2) Long-term outcome of locomotion function in patients with LHL <65 years was significantly better than that in patients ≥65 years (p=0.0199). Conclusion: In patients with ischemic stroke there was no significant difference of locomotion function between left cerebral hemispheric lesion and right cerebral hemispheric lesion at the time of discharge as well as 2 years after onset. Although the functional prognosis did not differ with regard to left versus right cerebral hemispheric lesions if the age was not considered, there was a difference when age was taken into consideration.