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Discusses a young girl's love of legendary actor Errol Flynn and how at age 64, she began to relive her youthful crush by starting to collect Flynn mementos. Carrie Ward of Maine and her collection.

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback on the recovery of arm function after stroke. Patients who had impaired arm function and were between 2 and 8 weeks after stroke were randomly allocated to receive either treatment incorporating EMG biofeedback or a control treatment in addition to their routine physiotherapy. The two groups of 20 patients were compared before and after 6 weeks of treatment and at follow-up 6 weeks later. There were no significant differences between the groups before treatment or at follow-up, but at the end of treatment those who received EMG biofeedback scored significantly higher on tests of arm function. Patients with severe impairment were shown to benefit most from EMG biofeedback but there was no difference in response to treatment according to patient's age or side of stroke. Mep had higher arm function scores than women before and at the end of treatment, but not at follow-up.

Stroke patients were observed in hospital over 3 days and their behaviour recorded. Patients were observed to spend a high proportion of their time inactive and solitary. This occurred most frequently in the ward day-room and reception area. There was little variation throughout the day in the distribution of different behaviours. The results indicate that on a stroke unit, designed to provide intensive rehabilitation, patients spend much of their time in non-therapeutic activities.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of group treatment for memory problems.Design: A cross-over design was employed to compare the memory improvement of subjects while attending a weekly memory therapy session with a waiting period.Setting: Outpatients.Treatment: A variety of memory strategies were taught, and practical advice was provided in the use of external aids.Results: No improvement in memory function was detected on the Behavioural Memory Test or Subjective Memory Questionnaire. There was an increase in the number of memory aids reported as being used after attending the group (p < 0·05). The number of items reported on the Subjective Memory Questionnaire as 'bothering' the patient decreased in frequency (p < 0·05) after group treatment.Conclusions: Attendance at a memory group increased the use of memory aids but did not affect memory impairment.

The provision of rehabilitation for stroke patients discharged from hospital in Nottingham was determined in three ways: a longitudinal study of consecutive stroke patients discharged from hospital, a cross-sectional survey of stroke patients attending physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) outpatient departments (OPDs), and an observational study of patients attending for rehabilitation at day hospitals (DHs) and PT and OT OPDs. In the longitudinal study 17% of patients went to DHs and 20% to OPDs. During the cross-sectional study patients most commonly attended twice weekly. Twenty-four per cent of DH attenders were 18 months post-stroke. In the observational study, the proportion of time spent in therapy was 22% in DHs, 38% in PT OPDs, 48% in OPD OT, and 51% in those attending both PT and OT OPDs. Day hospitals are now a major facility for the rehabilitation of stroke outpatients. OPDs may deliver rehabilitation more efficiently than DHs, and both OPDs and DHs compare favourably when compared to inpatient rehabilitation in this respect.

This study investigated the relationship between cognitive ability and driving after stroke. Thirty-nine pre-stroke drivers were assessed using a battery of cognitive tests followed by a road test over a set route. Subjects were graded into Pass, Borderline or Fail categories on the basis of the road test. Cognitive test results were compared across grades of driving performance and significant differences were found on nine of the 23 measures. A discriminant function analysis identified 10 tests which together predicted the grading of 94% of subjects into Pass or Fail categories.

The responses of 95 stroke patients and 129 orthopaedic control patients were compared on a questionnaire of subjective memory abilities. Stroke patients reported more problems than orthopaedic controls, and relatives observed more problems in both groups than were reported by patients. Reassessment after 6 months showed that stroke patients rated their memories as worse but their relatives observed an improvement. Factors such as whether the patient was in hospital or at home, and the side of the lesion, were not found to be related to overall subjective memory impairment.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of perceptual assessment and treatment provided on a stroke unit by comparison with that provided on health care of the elderly and general medical wards. Stroke patients admitted to hospital were randomly allocated to a stroke unit or conventional wards. Perceptual impairment was assessed on entry to the study and at 3, 6 and 12 months after randomization. Stroke unit patients show significantly less impairment of perceptual abilities at all stages after stroke. Perceptual impairment, as assessed using the Rey figure copy, was a significant predictor of outcome as assessed on the Barthel Index, Extended ADL scale and Rivermead Motor Assessment at 12 months after stroke.

The transfer of training approach to the treatment of visual perceptual deficits was evaluated with three left hemiplegic and one bilateral hemiplegic stroke patients, using single case designs. The results showed little evidence of effective treatment for perceptual deficits, although there was a slight response to treatment for inattention deficits. Overall the changes were minimal. The importance of monitoring treatment is discussed.

The frequency of perceptual problems in stroke patients was assessed using a standardised assessment, the Rivermead Perceptual Assessment Battery.1One hundred and fifty stroke patients (75 right hemiplegic and 75 left hemiplegic), admitted consecutively to two general hospitals, were assessed one month after stroke, to identify the proportion with perceptual difficulties. Perceptual difficulties were identified in 71% of right hemiplegic stroke patients and 81% of left hemiplegic patients. They were identified in 97% of dysphasic right hemiplegic patients, compared to 47% of nondysphasic right hemiplegic patients, and 84% of female hemiplegic patients, compared to 67% of male hemiplegic patients. Unilateral neglect was identified in both right and left hemiplegic patients. The proportion of patients with neglect varied according to the measure chosen. The results indicate that perceptual problems are common following both right and left hemiplegic stroke, with unilateral neglect accounting for a relatively small proportion of the problems.

A group of stroke patients were assessed over four occasions using the Nottingham stroke dressing assessment. A similar pattern of difficulty in dressing was found for both males and females. The consistency of ordering of problems was highly significantly correlated in each of the four assessments.