F E AT U R E
Self-awareness, cognition and function in post-stroke recovery Toni Heinemann, Senior Occupational Therapist
T
oni Heinemann presented at the 29th National Conference and Exhibition on stroke rehabilitation, and the role of Occupational Therapy in post-stroke recovery.
between two hospitals: Osborne Park Hospital (rehabilitation hospital) and Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital (an acute tertiary hospital in Perth, Western Australia).
Self-awareness is such a crucial part of a stroke survivor’s rehabilitation journey. It is the cornerstone for beginning to understand what has happened to them, and how it impacts their world and occupations. Occupational therapists play a pivotal role in the recovery of many stroke survivors, so this small pilot study was a collaboration
The primary aim was to examine the relationship between self-awareness and functional outcomes for patients in the first three months post stroke. The secondary aim included determining the feasibility of the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS) as a measure of selfawareness in acute and sub-acute care.
36 otaus.com.au
Self-awareness deficits following neurological injury have been well-recognised by clinicians and researchers (1-4). Self-awareness can be defined as a highly integrated brain function, encompassing the ability to perceive oneself in relatively objective terms while maintaining a sense of subjectivity.(1,8) The term “awareness deficits” is utilised to refer to a lack of recognition of changes to an individual’s self and abilities following brain injury.(6) It is believed that awareness of deficits is critical in influencing patient
