Doctors could soon detect often-missed injuries in stroke survivors, after Australian scientists developed a new assessment tool that will give patients a greater chance of rehabilitation.

The game-changing Brief Executive Language Screening (BELS) test was developed by researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) and can be used by health professionals to assess a patient’s cognitive skills in minutes.

Clinician-researcher Professor Gail Robinson said conventional testing for impairments following a stroke can take between two to three hours and most brief screens only detect severe impairments. However, the comprehensive BELS test will only take 20 to 30 minutes and is suitable for all stroke patients.

“It tests memory, motor function for speech, core language, conversational speech and complex mental abilities needed for decision making,” Robinson said.

“BELS picks up subtle impairments in conversational speech and complex mental abilities that can be impacted by stroke but are often overlooked in patients who do not have obvious language problems that affect their ability to speak.”

It took Professor Robinson and her team 12 years to research and develop the test, evolving from early prototypes to the current study.

During that time, the team studied 88 stroke patients within seven weeks of their stroke and compared their test results with 116 healthy individuals who were the same age as the stroke survivors.

Robinson explained that it was vital to treat stroke patients as quickly as possible as impairments in language and executive function skills affect every aspect of our lives.

“If these impairments aren’t identified in hospital, patients can return home and find relationships, managing daily tasks or returning to work a challenge,” Robinson said.

“Once a person is home, they’re also less likely to seek help, even when these subtle or hidden impairments affect their quality of life.

“By using the BELS test to detect impairments early in an acute setting, health professionals can tailor the person’s rehabilitation plan to address those challenges effectively.”

Meanwhile, the UQ team hopes to develop a BELS test to assess the cognitive skills of people with brain tumours and dementia.

While this is encouraging news, prevention is more favourable than cure and it is better to take preventative action, as well as recognise the warning signs of a stroke.

The signs of stroke to be on the lookout for

According to the Stroke Foundation, 40 per cent of Australians do not recognise the signs of a stroke and as a result, fail to seek the necessary medical care in a timely manner.

The chances of stroke-related brain damage can significantly increase the longer a stroke is left untreated, therefore it is essential to have an understanding of what warning signs to be on the lookout for.

Some of the telltale signs of a stroke can include numbness or weakness (particularly in the face, arms, or legs), confusion, slurred speech or difficulty speaking, vision loss, dizziness, and severe headache.

In order to accurately recognise the signs of a stroke in a timely manner, Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist Owner, Melanie Moses recommends the following acronym.

F.A.S.T. or B.E.F.A.S.T. is an acronym that people can memorise to know how to evaluate the warning signs that you or someone you are with are experiencing a stroke,” she explained.

Face – check their face, has their mouth drooped
Arms – can they lift both arms?
Speech – is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – time is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away.

The major risk factors

In most cases, strokes can be preventable given they are associated with lifestyle-related risk factors that can be managed to decrease one’s risk. However, when it comes to risk factors such as family, history, age, gender, and ethnic background reducing the risk can become more difficult.

Regardless, Moses suggests talking to your GP in order to assess your risk and manage it appropriately.

Reducing the risk of a stroke

While some risk factors can mean a greater chance of stroke and “even those considered to live a healthy lifestyle can suffer a stroke” Moses stresses that “there are preventative measures that can be considered to avoid a stroke.”

“It is important to manage your blood pressure as this can be one of the biggest single risk factors for stroke, in fact, high blood pressure plays a part in about half of all strokes,” she said.

“Other preventative measures include stopping smoking, controlling diet factors by eating foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fats, and including fruits and vegetables regularly in your diet.”

The importance of exercise can never be understated when it comes to looking after your health and in regards to stroke, Moses recommends “regular exercise or even a brisk walk” to help reduce stroke risk.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.