학술논문
Community living after in-hospital specialized rehabilitation in patients with severe disability after stroke: a long-term follow-up after a randomized controlled trial.
Document Type
Article
Source
Subject
*STATISTICS
*SCIENTIFIC observation
*T-test (Statistics)
*PEARSON correlation (Statistics)
*PHYSICAL activity
*INDEPENDENT living
*STROKE rehabilitation
*QUALITY of life
*STROKE patients
*WALKING
*DESCRIPTIVE statistics
*QUESTIONNAIRES
*PEOPLE with disabilities
*STATISTICAL sampling
*DATA analysis
*DATA analysis software
*LONGITUDINAL method
*LONG-term health care
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Language
ISSN
0963-8288
Abstract
Physical functioning after discharge from specialized rehabilitation is a concern. The purpose of this study was to investigate functioning and health after a long period of community living in participants with severe disability after stroke. An observational, longitudinal follow-up design was used to investigate 60 participants from a randomized controlled trial. Assessment tools: Short Form 36 health-survey, Functional Ambulation Categories, EU Walking, 10 Meter Walk Test, and questions concerning health and walking ability. Forty-seven participants (78%) responded, mean age 51.2 years. Non-respondents demonstrated poorer function at hospital discharge. At follow-up, median 11.9 months after discharge, all but three respondents lived in their own home, and 85% received physiotherapy. Twenty-nine (64%) perceived their health as good to excellent, while four (9%) reported poor health. Activities requiring substantial strength and endurance were typically restricted. Most participants (83%) were independent walkers, and fewer (a 27% reduction) used a wheelchair. Among independent walkers, mean walking speed improved by 0.14 m/s. Time elapsed since hospital discharge was not found to correlate with change in walking speed. This study demonstrates maintenance or progress in important aspects of functioning and health in most participants at long-term follow-up, but not in all. Patients with severe disability after stroke may maintain or improve their physical functioning and health after a long period of community living, when they receive continuous individualized rehabilitation including physiotherapy. Patients who maintain or improve walking ability and walking speed after living for a long time in the community, may still need assistance with daily activities, especially if they require substantial muscle strength and endurance. Expectations to long-term functional outcomes after institutional followed by community rehabilitation for patients after stroke, should be considered in light of functional status at hospital discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]