Interactions of Cognitive and Physical Functions Associated with Toilet Independence in Stroke Patients

Objectives The purpose of this study was to clarify the interaction among cognitive and physical functions associated with toilet independence in stroke patients. Materials and methods We retrospectively examined 125 stroke patients. We performed decision tree analysis to detect the interaction associated with toilet independent using assessment of motor function on the affected side, muscle strength on unaffected side, trunk function, neglect, motivation, and cognitive function. The interactions detected via decision tree confirmed the existence and influence using logistic regression. Results The verticality test of the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (3 or ≤2 points) was selected at the first level, and the Revised Hasegawa's dementia scale (≥19 or ≤18 points) and age (≥70 or ≤69 y) were selected at the second level of decision tree. Interaction terms created by these factors were significantly associated with toilet independence after adjusting for the independent influence of each factor using logistic regression. Conclusions Our results show an interaction of trunk and cognitive functions or trunk function and age associated with toilet independence. The probability of toilet independence dramatically changes if two factors of each interaction were satisfied in stroke patients.