Longitudinal associations between paretic upper limb use,motor function,and internal health locus of control in hospitalised patients with subacute stroke

Abstract

This study longitudinally examined the associations between paretic upper limb use, upper limb motor function, and Internal Health Locus of Control (IHLC) in hospitalised patients with subacute stroke. Forty patients were assessed using the Motor Activity Log–Amount of Use, the Fugl–Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity, and IHLC. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that paretic upper limb use was associated with motor function at both 1 and 2 months, whereas no association with IHLC was observed. Secondary (exploratory) analyses suggested that depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and activities of daily living independence may differ according to the degree of improvement in paretic upper limb use.