Donepezil Improves Gait Performance in Patients with an Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Hemiplegia is a common symptom after acute cerebral infarction. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the influence factors of gait performance and investigate whether donepezil could improve gait performance in patients with an acute cerebral infarction. METHODS A total of 107 patients who experienced unilateral paresis after an acute cerebral infarction incident were enrolled in this prospectively observational study. Participants underwent a 3- month assessment. At the study's conclusion, patients were divided into 2 groups-those who received donepezil daily (observation Group) and those who did not (Control Group). RESULTS There was a significant difference (t=3.269, P=0.001) of Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) score between single site infarction (27.11±6.65) and multiple sites infarction (31.54±6.42). For gender, smoking, drinking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, there was no difference in WGS scores between subgroups (P>0.05), respectively. The patient's admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) score had a strongly positive correlation with WGS score (r=0.850, P 0.05) and WGS scores of both single site and multiple sites infarction gradually decreased at one month and three months after admission (P 0.05). CONCLUSION Admission NIHSS score, age and multiple sites infarction were independent risk factors of WGS score. Donepezil could improve gait performance in patients with acute cerebral infarction.