A prospective cohort study on longitudinal trajectories of cognitive function after stroke

The study aimed to determine longitudinal trajectories of cognitive function during the first year after stroke. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to screen cognitive function at 36–48 h, 3-months, and 12-months post-stroke. Individuals who shared similar trajectories were classified by applying the group-based trajectory models. Data from 94 patients were included in the analysis. Three cognitive functioning groups were identified by the trajectory models: high [14 patients (15%)], medium [58 (62%)] and low [22 (23%)]. For the high and medium groups, cognitive function improved at 12 months, but this did not occur in the low group. After age, sex and education matching to the normative MoCA from the Swedish population, 52 patients (55%) were found to be cognitively impaired at baseline, and few patients had recovered at 12 months. The impact on memory differs between cognitive functioning groups, whereas the impact on activities of daily living was not different. Patients with the poorest cognitive function did not improve at one-year poststroke and were prone to severe memory problems. These findings may help to increase focus on long-term rehabilitation plans for those patients, and more accurately assess their needs and difficulties experienced in daily living.