To compare 3-month motor recovery between ischemic stroke patients with PBO, without PBO, and with spontaneously resolved PBO, highlighting the significance of these comparisons using a propensity score-matched design.
Key Findings:
PBO group had significantly higher FMA scores (mean difference 3.77, 95% CI: −0.54–6.97, p = 0.022) and Lovett grades (p = 0.018) than non-PBO group at 3 months.
Among PBO patients, those with early PBO resolution achieved higher FMA scores than those with persistent PBO (mean difference 7.11, 95% CI: −13.10–-1.06, p = 0.021).
Lovett grades did not differ significantly between PBO disappearance and persistence groups (p = 0.111).
Interpretation:
The presence of PBO is associated with better motor recovery outcomes at 3 months post-stroke, suggesting it may serve as a prognostic indicator with implications for rehabilitation strategies.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce selection bias.
Small sample size limits generalizability of findings.
Lack of long-term follow-up data.
Potential confounding factors not controlled for.
Conclusion:
PBO may indicate better recovery potential in stroke patients, warranting further prospective research to validate its prognostic significance.
