The effect of pre-rehabilitation and rehabilitation period on functional status in hospitalized stroke patients

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of pre-rehabilitation and rehabilitation hospitalization periods on the functional status of the patient. Methods: In this retrospective study, stroke patients hospitalized in our rehabilitation clinic were screened. Patients' age, gender, type of stroke, affected hemisphere, spasticity, functional ambulation category (FAC), mini-mental status, length of pre-rehabilitation and rehabilitation period, Brunsstrom staging, and Barthel index were investigated. Results: One hundred eight patients were included in the study. The mean age was 64.9±14.8. The mean length of pre-rehabilitation was 16.2±12.8 and rehabilitation was 20.7±9.1 days. A significant negative correlation was observed between the length of the rehabilitation period and all Brunnstrom sub-assessments after rehabilitation. A significant positive correlation was observed between the length of the rehabilitation period and the change in Brunnstrom stage for upper and lower extremity values, the stroke effect scale after rehabilitation, and the change in stroke impact scale value. A significant negative correlation was observed between pre-rehabilitation time and the Barthel index before and after rehabilitation. Conclusion: The prolongation of the pre-rehabilitation period is not a negative factor for functional gain in rehabilitation. The rehabilitation period of the patient should be decided by considering the functional status of the patient.