Abstract
Background and Purpose: To test whether multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR) is effective in improving functional outcome in chronic stroke.
Methods: Retrospective review of functional outcome of MDR in 136 consecu tive patients with first single stroke. Patients were divided into early group (E: days after stroke ( 90, n = 47) and late group (L: > 90, n = 89). Outcome was assessed by using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Stroke Impairment As sessment Set (SIAS).
Results: Both groups were comparable in terms of age, gender, type of stroke, and side of stroke. The mean length of stay was significantly longer (p < 0.05) in E (138 days) than in L (114 days). The mean FIM (admission/discharge) was 88/103 in E and 88/97 in L. The mean SIAS was 11/14 in E and 10/13 in L. There was no signif icant difference in gain of FIM and SIAS score between the groups. There was also no difference in gain of FIM between E and L in three subgroups based on admission FIM score (severe disability: 18-53, moderate: 54-89, mild: 90-126).
Conclusions: MDR is effective in improving functional outcome of stroke patients regardless of starting point of MDR or initial severity of disability. Key Words: Stroke—Rehabilitation—Functional Independence Measure (FIM)—Stroke Impair ment Assessment Set (SIAS).