Prognostic Value of Sensory Defect in Rehabilitation of Hemiplegics

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Abstract
Serial examinations of pain threshold, two-point discrimination and vibratory sensations were made on 35 hemiplegic men. Eighty per cent had impaired sensation. Those with intact sensation had a shorter hospital stay and better rehabilitation results. Those who had loss but recovery of sensation had a slightly longer hospital stay and those without recovery had the longest hospitalization and the worst result from the rehabilitation program. The poorer result was felt to be most likely the result of disturbed parietal lobe functions which affect motor activity of extremities on both sides. When recovery occurred it was usually within the 1st 3 months after onset of illness. However, there was some improvement in sensation even though the lesion had been present for many months. This appeared to be the result of learning occurring during the rehabilitation process.