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Functional Ways to Measure Attention in Patients Post Stroke

Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, BFPCE, FAPTA

June 6, 2013

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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

Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, BFPCE, FAPTA

Dr. Studer, a Physical Therapist (PT) since 1991 and a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy since 1995, co-founded and co-owns Spark Rehabilitation and Wellness in Bend, Oregon. Additionally, he serves as an adjunct professor at Touro University and is an instructor at UNLV. Actively engaged as a practicing clinician, researcher, author, and presenter in DPT programs and continuing education, Mike was honored as the 2011 Clinician of the Year in the Neurologic Academy and, in 2014, in the Geriatric Academy of the APTA.

Dr. Studer has presented invited lectures in all 50 states and 12 countries across four continents. In 2020, he received the highest honor in PT, being distinguished as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA. Over his 33-year career, Mike has authored over 35 articles and six book chapters and is a consultant to Major League Baseball.

 


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