Relationship between primitive reflexes in stroke patients and rehabilitation outcome.

The reappearance of developmental reflexes in the aged has been found to be associated with severe, diffuse cerebral damage. This study examined the relationship between the presence of such reflexes in stroke patients and the outcome of rehabilitation. Tests for the presence of snout, suck, jaw-jerk and palmomental reflexes were tested in 106 consecutive stroke patients admitted for rehabilitation treatment. A mental status test was also included in the usual medical admission examination. Functional status ratings for self-care and mobility at discharge, and the setting to which the patient was discharged, were used as outcome criteria. All of the reflex signs were negatively related to a favorable outcome, but the correlations were not high enough for predictive value. The mental status measures were more highly related to rehabilitation outcome than were the presence of developmental reflexes.