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Functional Ways to Measure Attention in Patients Post Stroke

Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, CBFP, CSRP, FAPTA

June 6, 2013

Question

What are some ways that you measure attention in patients post-stroke?

Answer

There are several different ways to do it. If you want to find a functional way by which to measure attention, you could actually work on testing an individual in a non-distracting environment. You could run a Berg balance test. You could time them while they are dressing. You could test them in a communication skills effort. Then, you could actually test them in the same exact examination with distraction, perhaps just an auditory background, perhaps a visual distraction, whatever your choice may be that would be very task specific. Then re-measure them under the duress of the distraction with the same exact functional measure. This may be one of the best facets by which attention rehabilitation and objectifying attention is actually coming to the world of rehabilitation.

Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, CBFP, CSRP, FAPTA

Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, CBFP, CSRP, FAPTA, has been a PT since 1991, a board-certified neurologic PT in 1995, and a private practice owner since 2005. Dr. Studer has been an invited speaker covering all 50 states, 17 countries, and 6 continents, speaking on topics ranging from cognition and psychology in rehabilitation, aging, stroke, motor learning, motivation in rehabilitation, balance, dizziness, neuropathy, and Parkinson Disease. Dr. Studer was the founder and operator of Northwest Rehabilitation Associates in Oregon for 18 years and is now a co-founder and co-owner of Spark Rehabilitation and Wellness in Bend, OR. He is an adjunct professor at Touro University and has an additional appointment at UNLV. Dr. Studer assists the USC-led national network of neurologic PT residencies (Neuroconsortium) as well.

Mike holds the distinction of being the only PT in the US to be recognized as Clinician of the Year in the Neurologic and the Geriatric Academies of the APTA. He received the highest honor available in PT in 2020, being distinguished as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA. Mike’s honors additionally reflect his service as the Vice President of the Academy of Neurologic PT, and the Mercedes Weiss award for service to the Oregon chapter of APTA. He holds a trademark in dual-task rehabilitation and has a patent pending on the same. Throughout his career, Mike has authored over 50 articles, seven book chapters, and two books, and has routinely led clinical research projects in affiliation with various universities. He is a consultant to professional athletes, including Major League Baseball players, competitive divers, and some of the most prolific climbers in world history. As a very fun and lighthearted note, Mike is the four-time and current WR holder for the fastest underwater treadmill marathon, a mark that was set most recently in January 2022. Most recently, Mike authored The Brain That Chooses Itself: Personalized Strategies to Extend Your Healthspan, a practical and application-based guide to increasing both healthspan and lifespan for laypersons and medical professionals alike. Dr. Studer followed this by authoring My Face Book: Looking Beyond What the Mirror Tells Us in Crisis.

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