Comparison of the predictive value of upper limb somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials for functional recovery in subacute stroke: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prognostic value of somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials for upper limb functional recovery in patients with subacute stroke.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational analysis.

SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: A total of 111 inpatients with subacute stroke who underwent upper limb somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials testing within 1 week of admission and completed a standardized rehabilitation programme.

METHODS

Somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials were categorized as non-responsive, abnormal, or normal. Discharge outcomes included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper limb, Box and Block Test, Functional Independence Measure, and Korean version of the modified Barthel Index. Mixed-effects models were applied to examine associations between somatosensory evoked potentials or motor evoked potentials status and discharge outcomes, adjusting for baseline score and admission duration, with patient ID as a random intercept. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's f 2.

RESULTS

Normal somatosensory evoked potentials were associated with higher Functional Independence Measure and Korean version of the modified Barthel Index scores than non-responsive somatosensory evoked potentials, while abnormal somatosensory evoked potentials showed non-significant trends. For motor evoked potentials, the normal group showed higher Box and Block Test scores, and both abnormal and normal groups had higher Korean modified Barthel Index scores than non-responsive.

CONCLUSION

Admission somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials provide complementary prognostic information in subacute stroke rehabilitation.