Minimal Clinically Important Differences and Changes in Stroke Disease-Specific Quality of Life in Stroke Survivors: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to investigate changes in QOL in post-stroke patients during the first 3 months of rehabilitation treatment. We estimate minimal detectable changes (MDCs) and minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) of the eight dimensions of QOL and assess the proportion of patients’ change scores that exceed MDCs and MCIDs in stroke survivors who receive rehabilitation in a hospital ward. This prospective cohort study enrolled 40 stroke survivors (57.5% male; M_age = 58.3 years) who received in-hospital rehabilitation for a total of 3 months. The Stroke Impact Scale 3.0, which has eight subscales—strength, activities of daily living (ADLs)/instrumental ADLs (IADLs), mobility, hand function, communication, memory and thinking, emotion, and social participation—was used for assessment on the third day of rehabilitation (Time 1), 1 month later (Time 2), and 3 months later (Time 3). Our findings indicated that the MDC₉₅ and MCID proportions varied from 7.5% to 30% and 7.5% to 65%, respectively, of individuals who exhibited change based on individual change scores. The findings show compliance with MDC and MCID values in physical function, with the lowest proportion in hand function.