Comprehensive Rehabilitation Training Decreases Cognitive Impairment, Anxiety, and Depression in Poststroke Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND

To explore the effect of comprehensive rehabilitation training (CRT) on cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in poststroke patients.

METHODS

168 poststroke patients were consecutively recruited in this randomized controlled study. Patients were randomly assigned to CRT group (CRT plus conventional treatment) and control group (conventional treatment) as 1:1 ratio. The specific interventions of CRT included patient and family member education, cognitive training, rehabilitation training, and regular check.

RESULTS

Both montreal cognitive assessment score change (Month12 [M12]-baseline; P = .001) and minimum mental state examination score change (M12-baseline) were higher in CRT group than that in control group (P = .004), and the percentage of cognitive impairment by montreal cognitive assessment score ≤26 was lower (P = .003) in CRT group compared to control group at month 12. Anxiety assessments were performed by hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). The HADS anxiety score change (M12-baseline; P = .002) and the SAS score change (M12-baseline; P = .006) were decreased in CRT group compared to control group. Lower occurrence rate of anxiety assessed by SAS was observed in CRT group compared to control group (P = .033). Depression assessments were performed by HADS and Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS). HADS depression score change (M12-baseline; P < .001) and the SDS score change (M12-baseline; P = .002) were reduced in CRT group compared to control group. Decreased occurrence rate of depression assessed by SDS was found in CRT group compared to control group (P = .022).

CONCLUSIONS

CRT contributes to the recovery of cognitive impairment, and decreases anxiety and depression in poststroke patients.