The purpose of this paper is to present a critique of an empirical study of right hemisphere stroke outcomes in relation to a patient's cognitive status following the stroke---a study conducted by Rebecca A. Sisson (1995). In brief, Sisson's research measured the functional ability, and emotional, behavioral, and cognitive status of a small group of first-time right-hemisphere stroke patients at four periods of time: a) ten days following the stroke; b) one month following the stoke; c) three months following the stroke; and d) six months following the stroke. The measurement of cognitive status was the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale (NRS). The measure of functional ability was the Barthel Functional Index (BFI).
Statistical analyses of collected data were said to indicate a positive linear relationship between cognitive status and functional ability following a stroke. Based on findings, it was concluded that nurse planning should include an assessment of mental functioning and its possible impact on the patient's future health care needs.
Since the study's primary purpose was an examination for relationship between the two variables cited in the title (cognitive status and functional ability) with an emphasis upon using cognitive status to predict functional ability following stroke, the title can be said to clearly reflect the research focus.
The abstract is quite comprehensive and well-written. In one paragraph, it informs the reader of the study's general purpose, justifies the purpose as important and needed, and presents a brief summary of the methods, results, and conclusions of the study. Moreover, it delineates the basic implications of findings for nursing practice and offers a recommendation for continued research.
The research problem of examining for a possibly predictive relationship between cognitive status and functional ability following right hemisphere stroke was not only clearly stated, it wa...