The Correlation of the Duration of Flaccidity Period and the Intensity and Location of the Disorder in Patients with Cerebro-Vascular Accident

Motor deficit in the shape of muscle flaccidity after Cerebro-vascular Accident (CVA) is a common disorder. As the duration of the flaccidity period extends, the motor recovery is delayed proportionally. In this study, the correlated factors to the length of flaccidity period and the final prognosis of the patients with CVA have been investigated. In this descriptive study, in a 6 months time (Apr-Oct, 2007), all the patients (110) with cerebral vascular disease who were admitted to the neurological ward of Loghman hospital entered in the study. An information form regarding the standard motor evaluation charts of Adams and Oxfordish was completed for each patient. The patients with total flaccidity were reassessed for their motor recovery at 72 hours, 1, 2 and 4 weeks after their cerebro-vascular accident. Out of 110 investigated cases, 29 patients (26.4%) had total flaccidity at the onset of the study. Twelve patients out of this group (41.4%) had partial anterior infarction, however the majority of the patients with normal muscular tonus (34 cases) had lacuner lesion [23 patients (67.64%). The patients with total flaccidity had shorter flaccidity period compared to the patients with partial anterior infarction. The results showed that the occlusive lesions of anterior circulation and lacuner are the most common lesions, and it seems that the patients with partial anterior infarction have poorer prognosis regarding their motor recovery than that of others.