Post-stroke cognitive assessments – Essentials for the acute and subacute phase

Dr. Schwarz emphasized recognizing and addressing cognitive symptoms after stroke, describing them as the most invisible yet impactful impairments. Cognitive outcomes are shaped early, often within the first days and influence long-term recovery and daily independence.

She highlighted that cognitive assessment and rehabilitation must be interdisciplinary and continuous, involving doctors, therapists, patients and caregivers. Early evaluation should cover memory, attention, communication, behavior and emotional state. Challenges such as delirium, depression, medication effects, sensory impairments and pre-existing cognitive decline must be identified before targeted therapy. Special attention should be given to frontal lobe functions, which determine whether patients can return to work, family life and social roles. Simple bedside tools can assess executive function.

Dr. Schwarz concluded that cognition is as important as mobility and speech and early neuroplasticity enhancement combined with interdisciplinary rehabilitation can significantly improve long-term outcomes.