Functional and cognitive variables predicting successful use of chopsticks or a spoon by the paretic upper extremity in patients following stroke: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACTBackground: The factors necessary for successful use of chopsticks or a spoon, by patients with a paretic upper extremity (UE) following stroke are unknown.Objectives: We identified the functional capacities and interactions related to chopsticks or spoon use in patients with right hemiplegia following stroke.Methods: Participants were 139 stroke patients with right hemiplegia who required rehabilitation, divided into the following three categories: able to use chopsticks, able to use a spoon, or unable to use a spoon. We collected sociodemographic data, medical data, physical and cognitive function data, and functional grades associated with chopsticks or spoon use by the paretic dominant UE while eating. We identified a complex interaction of variables relating to functional use of chopsticks or a spoon using a classification and regression tree analytic process.Results: Patients with UE Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS) >IV, and a Hasegawa Dementia Scale – Revised (HDS-R) score >16 had a 91.3% pr...