The predictive value of selected functional and clinical parameters in stroke rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction. By 2015, the goal of the rehabilitation set by the Helsingborg Declaration 2006, was that more than 70% of survivors are independant in their activities of daily living by 3 months after the onset of stroke.

Material and methods. The research was performed in 109 patients hospitalized in the Department of Systemic Rehabilitation with the Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of the Regional Hospital in Grudziądz, from September 2011 to March 2013. The functional status of patients was assessed on the basis of the modified Rankin scale and Barthel Index, on admission and discharge from the stroke department and rehabilitation unit as well as 3 months after the stroke. The neurological status was assessed using the scale of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

Results. Among patients with worse functional status (mRS 3–5 points) symptoms such as aphasia, paresis/plegia and neglect syndrome were more frequent after 3 months. Also their scores on the NIHSS were higher; whereas in the the Barthel Index they were lower. In the multivariant assessment significant predictors of a 3-month prognosis were the clinical scale NIHSS and the functional BI.

Conclusion. Severe paresis or limbs plegia, aphasia and the neglect syndrome are predictors of worse prognosis for the functional status. The NIHSS scale and the BI are comparable, significant predictors of 3-month prognosis.