Background and purpose: Cognitive and emotional problems are common after stroke and screening is essential. In this paper a new screening instrument is presented and its usability is investigated.
Methods: A group of stroke patients (N = 69) were interviewed using the new instrument, the CLCE-24, six months post stroke. Moreover extensive neuropsychological testing was conducted (including MMSE/CAMCOG).
Results: Patients, relatives and assessors (a psychologist) were positive about its use. The interview with the CLCE-24 took 11.1 minutes on average (5-35 minutes). Eighty percent of the patients had complaints; 73% had cognitive problems, while 51% had emotional problems. Patients with at least one complaint on the CLCE-24 scored lower on the MMSE (t=2.5; p = 0.01) and the CAMCOG (t= 2.5; p= 0.02) compared to patients without complaints.
Conclusions: The CLCE-24 can be applied by professionals in primary care for identification of cognitive and emotional complaints after stroke. Further research and implementation in clinical practice and the stroke service is recommended.