Benefit of inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation up to 1 year after stroke

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the benefit of inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation up to 1 year after stroke. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1056 patients with stroke were divided into 3 groups based on the interval between stroke onset and admission to the rehabilitation hospital: group I, within 90 days (n=507, 48%); group II, 91 to 180 days (n=377, 36%); and group III, more than 180 days (n=172, 16%). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional outcome (A to D; independent to totally dependent) in walking, affected upper extremity, and activities of daily living (ADLs) and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Walking status improved in 70.9% of nonambulatory patients in group I, in 54.8% in group II, and in 43.9% in group III. Similarly, ADLs improved in 66.7% of the totally dependent patients in group I and in approximately 50% in groups II and III. Functional gain in those with a totally nonfunctional upper extremity at admission was poor (29.7%). Initial functional categories affected each outcome (P<.0001). On discharge, 73.8% in group I and approximately 60% in groups II and III went home. CONCLUSION: Approximately half of all patients regained their abilities in walking and ADLs after inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation up to 1 year after stroke. However, there was considerable limitation in functional recovery of the affected upper extremity.     

Speed of finger tapping as a predictor of functional outcome after unilateral stroke

OBJECTIVES: To determine (1) if the speed of finger tapping of the hand ipsilateral to the lesion (ie, unaffected hand) remains stable during the first 6 months after stroke and (2) if the speed of finger tapping of the unaffected hand is related to functional outcome after neurorehabilitation, which is of relevance to clinical practice. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with measurements at admission to inpatient rehabilitation (t0), 4 weeks after admission (t1), at discharge (t2), and 3 months after discharge (t3). SETTING: Neurorehabilitation unit of a Dutch rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-seven patients with a unilateral first-ever stroke and 42 spouses (controls) of stroke patients without history of neurologic disorders were administered the finger-tapping test to generate normative scores. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Finger-tapping speed of the ipsilateral hand from the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Test battery. The Barthel Index, Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), and Sickness Impact Profile-68 (SIP-68) were also used as outcome measures. RESULTS: The speed of finger tapping of the ipsilateral hand improved significantly from t0 (mean, 44.13) to t1 (mean, 47.30, P=.02) but consecutively remained stable until 3 months after discharge. Four weeks after admission, the speed of finger tapping was comparable to the scores of the controls. The speed of finger tapping at admission was significantly correlated with the Barthel Index score at discharge (r=.39) and the FAI score at discharge (r=.32) and follow-up (r=.37) but not with the SIP-68 score (r=.28). Regression analyses showed that the Barthel Index score at discharge could be predicted by the initial Barthel Index score and finger tapping at admission (R(2)=.49); the variance of FAI score at discharge and follow-up was largely explained by the initial Barthel Index score. CONCLUSIONS: The speed of finger tapping improved over the first 4 weeks postadmission until normative speeds were reached and remained stable during the next 4 months. The speed of finger tapping correlated with functional outcome but not with quality of life; it was a predictor of activity of daily living functioning, although not a strong one. These findings suggest that the speed of finger tapping of the ipsilateral hand is a useful measure of recovery, although other variables such as the initial level of independent functioning are of more importance.     

Rehabilitation professionals and human immunodeficiency virus care: results of a national Canadian survey

Worthington C, Myers T, O’Brien K, Nixon S, Cockerill R, Bereket T. Rehabilitation professionals and human immunodeficiency virus care: results of a national Canadian survey.

Objective

To describe rehabilitation professionals’ practices, knowledge and training, professional views, and service delivery issues for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PHAs) in Canada.

Design

Nationwide cross-sectional postal survey.

Setting

Canada.

Participants

Random sample (N=2105) of occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and physiatrists who had practiced in the past year.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Survey items on current practices, HIV knowledge and training, professional views on rehabilitation and HIV, and HIV rehabilitation service delivery issues.

Results

Seventy-four percent (1492/2006) of the traceable sample responded, 53% (n=1058) of whom yielded completed surveys. Sixty-one percent of survey respondents never knowingly had served an HIV-positive patient. Of this group, 27% indicated these were patients they would like to work with, 27% indicated they were unwilling, and 46% were unsure. The 39% who knowingly had served PHAs had served an average of 4 PHAs in the last year, and less than 25% of their HIV patients’ rehabilitation issues were HIV-related.

Conclusions

Despite the role rehabilitation professionals have to play in the care of PHAs, only a minority serves PHAs. Results of this survey show a potential gap between the documented rehabilitative needs of PHAs and services provided by the rehabilitation professional community.     

Functional recovery following rehabilitation after hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVES: To quantify recovery after rehabilitation therapy and to identify factors that predicted functional outcome in survivors of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) compared with cerebral infarction. DESIGN: Retrospective study of consecutive ICH and cerebral infarction admissions to a rehabilitation hospital over a 4-year period. SETTING: Free-standing urban rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1064 cases met the inclusion criteria (545 women, 519 men; 871 with cerebral infarction, 193 with ICH). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.Main Outcome Measures: Functional status was measured using the FIM trade mark instrument, recorded at admission and discharge. Recovery was quantified by the change in FIM total score (DeltaFIM total score). Outcome measures were total discharge FIM score and DeltaFIM total score. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Total admission FIM score was higher in patients with cerebral infarction than in patients with ICH (59 vs 51, P=.0001). No difference in total discharge FIM score was present. Patients with ICH made a significantly greater recovery than those with cerebral infarction (DeltaFIM total score, 28 vs 23.3; P=.002). On multivariate analysis, younger age, longer length of stay, and admission FIM cognitive subscore independently predicted total discharge FIM and DeltaFIM total score. The severity of disability at admission, indicated by total admission FIM score, independently predicted total discharge FIM score, but not DeltaFIM total score. The ICH patients with the most severely disabling strokes had significantly greater recovery than cerebral infarction patients with stroke of similar severity. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with ICH had greater functional impairment than the cerebral infarction patients at admission, but made greater gains. Patients with the most severely disabling ICH improved more than those with cerebral infarction of comparable severity. Initial severity of disability, age, and duration of therapy best predicted functional outcome after rehabilitation.     

The effect of the introduction of a case-mix-based funding model of rehabilitation for severe stroke: an Australian experience

OBJECTIVE: To compare resource use of, and outcomes for, rehabilitation for severe stroke before and after the implementation of the Casemix and Rehabilitation Funding Tree case-mix-based funding model. DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: Eight inpatient rehabilitation centers in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sample of 609 patients with severe stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rehabilitation length of stay (LOS), discharge destination, and FIM instrument motor score at discharge. RESULTS: The average rehabilitation LOS changed significantly between the preimplementation year and the implementation year (Mann-Whitney U, P=.001). There were no significant differences in discharge destination. FIM motor score at discharge showed significant reduction in improvement (Mann-Whitney U, P=.001) between the preimplementation year and the implementation year. There were no significant correlations between LOS in rehabilitation and gain in function for either the preimplementation year (Spearman rho, P=.07) or the implementation year (P=.15). CONCLUSIONS: The change in funding model was associated with a decrease in inpatient costs and with an associated increase in disability at discharge. Our results suggest that the rate of improvement in severe stroke is variable; also, they support the use of funding models for stroke rehabilitation that allow flexibility in resource allocation.     

A national survey of the physiotherapy management of patients following first-time patellar dislocation

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine how musculoskeletal physiotherapists in acute National Health Service (NHS) hospitals manage patients following a first time patellar dislocation.

Design

National survey study.

Setting

All NHS acute hospitals with an accident and emergency and/or an orthopaedic department were surveyed.

Participants

306 institutions were surveyed.

Interventions

Each institution was sent a 14 question self-administered questionnaire pertaining to the assessment, treatment, evaluation and outcome of patients following a first time patellar dislocation. After 3 weeks, all non-respondents were sent a reminder letter. After a further 3 weeks, those who had not responded by this time were sent a final reminder and copy of the questionnaire.

Results

The survey response rate was 59%. The respondents indicated that first-time patellar dislocation was not a common musculoskeletal disorder managed by NHS physiotherapists, constituting an average of 2% of caseloads. The results suggested that physiotherapists most commonly assess for reduced quadriceps or VMO capacity, gait, patellar tracking and glide, and knee effusion when examining patients following a first-time patellar dislocation. The most common treatments adopted are reassurance, behaviour modification followed by proprioceptive, knee mobility, quadriceps and specific VMO exercises.

Conclusions

Generic lower limb assessment and treatment strategies are widely used to manage this patient group. Given the previous paucity in this literature, further study is now recommended to assess the efficacy of these interventions to provide UK physiotherapists with an evidence-base to justify their management strategies.     

Relationship of initial hematocrit level to discharge destination and resource utilization after ischemic stroke: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between initial hematocrit level at the time of ischemic stroke, discharge destination, and resource utilization. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1012 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke admitted to a university health system between August 3, 1995, and June 24, 1999. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.Main Outcome Measures: Length of stay, hospital cost, and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Of 1012 patients presenting with ischemic stroke, 58% were discharged home, 10% were discharged home with home care services, 15% were discharged to a rehabilitation hospital, 11% were discharged to a skilled or intermediate care facility, and 6% died. After adjusting for age, sex, race, and comorbidities, a significant association (P=.009) existed between discharge outcome and initial hematocrit level. The probability of achieving an equivalent or less favorable outcome increased at both high and low hematocrit levels, with a minimum probability at a hematocrit level of approximately 45%. CONCLUSIONS: An association exists between hematocrit level at the time of ischemic stroke and discharge outcome. Midrange hematocrit levels appear to be associated with discharge to home rather than to an inpatient rehabilitation unit or to a nursing facility. Further study is indicated to examine the relationship among hematocrit level, stroke severity, and outcome.     

Disparities in postacute rehabilitation care for stroke: an analysis of the state inpatient databases

Freburger JK, Holmes GM, Ku L-JE, Cutchin MP, Heatwole-Shank K, Edwards LJ. Disparities in postacute rehabilitation care for stroke: an analysis of the state inpatient databases.

Objective

To determine the extent to which sociodemographic and geographic disparities exist in the use of postacute rehabilitation care (PARC) after stroke.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of data for 2 years (2005–2006) from the State Inpatient Databases.

Setting

All short-term acute-care hospitals in 4 demographically and geographically diverse states.

Participants

Individuals (age, ≥45y; mean age, 72.6y) with a primary diagnosis of stroke who survived their inpatient stay (N=187,188). The sample was 52.4% women, 79.5% white, 11.4% black, and 9.1% Hispanic.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

(1) Discharge to an institution versus home. (2) For those discharged to home, receipt of home health (HH) versus no HH care. (3) For those discharged to an institution, receipt of inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) or skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify sociodemographic and geographic disparities in PARC use, controlling for illness severity/comorbid conditions, hospital characteristics, and PARC supply.

Results

Blacks, women, older individuals, and those with lower incomes were more likely to receive institutional care; Hispanics and the uninsured were less likely. Racial minorities, women, older individuals, and those with lower incomes were more likely to receive HH care; uninsured individuals were less likely. Blacks, women, older individuals, the uninsured, and those with lower incomes were more likely to receive SNF versus IRF care. PARC use varied significantly by hospital and geographic location.

Conclusions

Several sociodemographic and geographic disparities in PARC use were identified.     

Cognitively impaired stroke patients do benefit from admission to an acute rehabilitation unit

Rabadi MH, Rabadi FM, Edelstein L, Peterson M. Cognitively impaired stroke patients do benefit from admission to an acute rehabilitation unit.

Objective

To determine whether cognitively impaired stroke patients benefit (defined as having an improved level of functional independence and capable of being discharged home) from admission to an acute rehabilitation unit.

Design

Retrospective analysis of data from a historical cohort of patients with acute stroke within the last 4 weeks or less.

Setting

Acute stroke rehabilitation unit.

Participants

The study sample was divided into 4 distinct groups based on admission Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores: cognitively intact (MMSE score range, ≥25 points), mild cognitive impairment (MMSE score range, 21-24), moderate cognitive impairment (MMSE score range, 10-20), and severe cognitive impairment (MMSE score range, ≤9 points).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcome measures were: change in total FIM instrument score, cognitive FIM subscore, length of stay (LOS), FIM efficiency, and discharge disposition (home vs not-to-home).

Results

Based on the MMSE cut scores, there were 233 cognitively intact patients and 435 cognitively impaired (mild, n=139; moderate, n=165; severe, n=131) patients. The cognitively intact and the 3 cognitively impaired groups were similar in age, sex, and ethnicity. The data show that the 3 cognitively impaired groups of patients had delayed onset to acute rehabilitation admission and greater stroke severity and disability. The change in FIM total score and FIM efficiency was similar between the cognitively intact and the 3 cognitively impaired groups (P=.058). There were, however, statistically significant changes in the FIM cognitive subscore favoring the cognitively impaired groups (P<.001). Similarly, patients in the cognitively intact group had a shorter LOS (P<.001) and more home discharges (P<.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that despite severe neurologic impairment(s) and disability, cognitively impaired stroke patients make significant functional gains while undergoing rehabilitation and many can be discharged home. Based on these results, stroke patients with cognitive impairments benefit from rehabilitation and should be given the same access to acute rehabilitation services as stroke patients who are cognitively intact.     

Team training and stroke rehabilitation outcomes: a cluster randomized trial

Strasser DC, Falconer JA, Stevens AB, Uomoto JM, Herrin J, Bowen SE, Burridge AB. Team training and stroke rehabilitation outcomes: a cluster randomized trial.

Objective

To test whether a team training intervention in stroke rehabilitation is associated with improved patient outcomes.

Design

A cluster randomized trial of 31 rehabilitation units comparing stroke outcomes between intervention and control groups.

Setting

Thirty-one Veterans Affairs medical centers.

Participants

A total of 237 clinical staff on 16 control teams and 227 staff on 15 intervention teams. Stroke patients (N=487) treated by these teams before and after the intervention.

Intervention

The intervention consisted of a multiphase, staff training program delivered over 6 months, including: an off-site workshop emphasizing team dynamics, problem solving, and the use of performance feedback data; and action plans for process improvement; and telephone and videoconference consultations. Control and intervention teams received site-specific team performance profiles with recommendations to use this information to modify team process.

Main Outcome Measures

Three patient outcomes: functional improvement as measured by the change in motor items of the FIM instrument, community discharge, and length of stay (LOS).

Results

For both the primary (stroke only) and secondary analyses (all patients), there was a significant difference in improvement of functional outcome between the 2 groups, with the percentage of stroke patients gaining more than a median FIM gain of 23 points increasing significantly more in the intervention group (difference in increase, 13.6%; P=.032). There was no significant difference in LOS or rates of community discharge.

Conclusions

Stroke patients treated by staff who participated in a team training program were more likely to make functional gains than those treated by staff receiving information only. Team based clinicians are encouraged to examine their own team. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00237757).     

Association between apolipoprotein E4 and rehabilitation outcome in hospitalized ischemic stroke patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of apolipoprotein E4 (APOE*E4) allele in predicting discharge impairment and disability in ischemic stroke patients after acute rehabilitation. DESIGN: Prospective study comparing results of rehabilitation in patients with different APOE genotypes. SETTING: Acute neurologic rehabilitation department in Israel. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred one consecutive patients 75 years old or less with a first ischemic stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.Main Outcome Measure: Impairment, as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and disability, as assessed with the FIM trade mark instrument. RESULTS: On admission, there was no significant difference in the FIM or NIHSS measurements between the apo E4 group and other patients, but the prevalence of aphasia was 2.07 times more frequent in those with the APOE*E4 genotype (95% confidence interval, 0.98-4.4). A logistic regression model demonstrated that score measurements on admission were highly predictive of the NIHSS score at discharge (receiver operator curve=96.1%), whereas the presence of the APOE*E4 genotype did not add significantly to the model in predicting poorer rehabilitation treatment outcome as measured by the FIM or the NIHSS. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the apo E4 allele did not predict a poorer outcome of rehabilitation treatment after ischemic stroke, but it was associated with an increased prevalence of aphasia. Further studies are warranted to confirm this association.     

Building a Rehabilitative Care Measurement Instrument to Improve the Patient Experience

Objective

To develop and test face and content validity, and user interface design of a rehabilitative care patient experience measure.

Unilateral spatial neglect: relation to rehabilitation outcomes in patients with right hemisphere stroke

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between left unilateral spatial neglect (USN) and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with right hemisphere stroke. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of a database of right hemisphere stroke patients. SETTING: Acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=175) with a diagnosis of right hemisphere stroke who had undergone a neuropsychologic screening including assessment of USN and depressive symptoms at time of admission to an inpatient rehabilitation program. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional status was evaluated with the FIM instrument at admission and discharge. The relationship between USN, depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning, length of stay (LOS), and rate of progress in rehabilitation was examined via univariate (correlational) and multivariate (Cox regression) analyses. RESULTS: Patients with USN had longer LOS and progressed more slowly compared with those without USN. When matched against patients with equally poor functional status at admission, USN patients still had longer admissions and progressed more slowly. CONCLUSIONS: USN is a unique predictor of rehabilitation outcomes in patients with right hemisphere stroke. Identification of those specific functional skill areas most affected by USN may make possible the development of targeted interventions aimed at these key areas.     

Plasma homocysteine level and functional outcome of patients with ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible relationships between total plasma homocysteine level (tHcy) and functional outcome of stroke patients as evaluated by the FIM instrument. DESIGN: Retrospective chart analysis. SETTING: Inpatient stroke rehabilitation ward of a university-affiliated referral hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients (N=113) presenting with acute ischemic stroke. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their tHcy levels (< or = 15 micromol/L, >15 micromol/L) and into 3 groups according to their FIM scores (low, < or =40; moderate, 41-80; high, >80). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The tHcy level was determined shortly after stroke onset by a high performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection. Functional outcome was measured by the FIM instrument at admission and discharge. The tHcy level and FIM scores were obtained for all patients. Data outcomes were analyzed by t tests, 1-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U, and Fisher exact tests, as well as by the 2 ordered polytomous logistic regression model. RESULTS: The 2 tHcy groups were similar in demographic, stroke, and comorbidity characteristics, differing only by higher frequency of hypertension in those with a tHcy greater than 15 micromol/L (51.7% vs 80.8%, respectively, P=.01). Compared with patients who had tHcy levels at 15 micromol/L or lower and were discharged from rehabilitation being in the highest FIM score group (>80), higher tHcy levels were not associated with a discharge FIM score of less than 40 (odds ratio [OR]=.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-4.65; P=.77) or with a better functional outcome FIM score between 40 and 80 (OR=3.71; 95% CI, 0.73-18.99; P=.11). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that determination of tHcy level does not correlate with functional outcome in patients presenting for rehabilitation after acute ischemic stroke.     

Rasch analysis of a new stroke-specific outcome scale: the Stroke Impact Scale

OBJECTIVES: To assess multiple psychometric characteristics of a new stroke outcome measure, the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), using Rasch analysis, and to identify and remove misfitting items from the 8 domains that comprise the SIS. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of 3-month outcomes for the Glycine Antagonist in Neuroprotection (GAIN) Americas randomized stroke trial. SETTING: A multicenter randomized trial performed in 132 centers in the United States and Canada. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 696 individuals with stroke who were community-dwelling and independent prior to acute stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.Main Outcome Measures: Rasch analysis was performed using WINSTEPS, version 3.31, to evaluate 4 psychometric characteristics of the SIS: (1) unidimensionality or fit (the extent to which items measure a single construct), (2) targeting (the extent to which the items are of appropriate difficulty for the sample), (3) item difficulty (the ordering of items from least to most difficult to perform), and (4) separation (the extent to which the items distinguish distinct levels of functioning within the sample). RESULTS: (1) Within each domain, most of the items measured a single construct. Only 3 items misfit the constructs and were deleted ("add and subtract numbers," "get up from a chair," "feel emotionally connected") and 2 items ("handle money," "manage money") misfit the combined physical domain. These items were deleted to create SIS, version 3.0. (2) Overall, the items are well targeted to the sample. The physical and participation domains have a wide range of items that capture difficulties that most individuals with stroke experience in physical and role functions, while the memory, emotion, and communication domains include items that capture limitations in the most impaired patients. (3) The order of items from less to more difficult was clinically meaningful. (4) The individual physical domains differentiated at least 3 (high, average, low) levels of functioning and the composite physical domain differentiated more than 4 levels of functioning. However, because difficulties with communication, memory, and emotion were not as frequently reported and difficulties with hand function were more frequently reported, these domains only differentiated 2 (high, low) to 3 (high, average, low) strata of patients. Time from stroke onset to administration of the SIS had little effect on item functioning. CONCLUSION: Rasch analysis further established the validity of the SIS. The domains are unidimensional, the items have an excellent range of difficulty, and the domain scores differentiated patients into multiple strata. The activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living, mobility, strength, composite physical, and participation domains have the most robust psychometric characteristics. The composite physical domain is most able to discriminate difficulty in function in individuals after stroke, while the communication, memory, and emotion domain items only capture limitations in function in the more impaired groups of patients.     

急性脑卒中吞咽障碍早期康复护理

目的通过对脑卒中后吞咽障碍患者的早期康复训练,观察恢复效果。方法将60例急性脑卒中吞咽障碍患者分为两组,对照组30例采用传统的常规护理方法;试验组30例在此基础上采用早期系统化康复护理,比较两组疗效。结果康复训练4周后试验组评分(6.81±0.25)分,对照组(4.62±0.37)分,两组比较差异有统计学意义(t=4.92,P<0.05);试验组患者基本痊愈14例,明显好转7例,好转6例,无效3例,有效率90%;对照组基本痊愈6例,明显好转8例,好转7例,无效9例,有效率70%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=20.397,P<0.05)。结论对脑卒中并吞咽障碍患者行早期康复训练,有助于恢复吞咽功能。     

Measurement of upper-extremity function early after stroke: properties of the action research arm test

OBJECTIVE: To examine the responsiveness and validity of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) in a population of subjects with mild-to-moderate hemiparesis within the first few months after stroke. DESIGN: Data were collected as part of the Very Early Constraint-Induced Therapy for Recovery from Stroke trial, an acute, single-blind randomized controlled trial of constraint-induced movement therapy. Subjects were studied at baseline (day 0), after treatment (day 14), and after 90 days (day 90) poststroke. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation hospital; follow-up 3 months poststroke. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty hemiparetic subjects. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At each time point, subjects were tested on: (1) the ARAT, (2) clinical measures of sensorimotor impairments, (3) in the kinematics laboratory where they performed reach and grasp movements, and (4) clinical measures of disability. Blinded raters performed all evaluations. Analyses at each time point included calculating effect size as indicators of responsiveness, and correlation and regression analyses to examine relationships between ARAT scores and other measures. RESULTS: The ARAT is responsive to change, with effect sizes greater than 1.0 and responsiveness ratios of 7.0 at 3 months poststroke. ARAT scores were related to sensorimotor impairment measures, 3-dimensional kinematic measures of movement performance, and disability measures at all 3 time points. CONCLUSIONS: The ARAT is a responsive and valid measure of upper-extremity functional limitation and therefore may be an appropriate measure for use in acute upper-extremity rehabilitation trials.     

Racial disparities in outcomes of inpatient stroke rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether race is associated with outcomes of inpatient stroke rehabilitation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A community-based inpatient rehabilitation facility. PARTICIPANTS: Poststroke patients (N=1002) admitted to a community-based inpatient rehabilitation facility between 1995 and 2001. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional improvement at discharge from the rehabilitation facility, discharge disposition, and functional improvement at 3 months after discharge. Inpatient and follow-up data were collected from the facility's electronic patient database. We used the FIM instrument to assess functional status at admission, discharge, and follow-up. RESULTS: In multivariable models, blacks achieved less functional improvement at discharge (-1.9 FIM points, P=.02) compared with whites and, despite worse FIM scores, were more likely to be discharged to home (adjusted odds ratio=1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.5). Although Asian-American patients did not differ from whites in terms of functional improvement at discharge or disposition, they had less improvement at 3 months following discharge (-6.3 FIM points, P=.005). CONCLUSIONS: We identified racial disparities in poststroke outcomes in a community-based inpatient rehabilitation facility. Future research in stroke rehabilitation should explore the consistency of these findings across settings and if they are confirmed, identify explanatory mediators to better inform efforts to eliminate racial disparities.     

Selection for inpatient rehabilitation after acute stroke: a systematic review of the literature

Hakkennes SJ, Brock K, Hill KD. Selection for inpatient rehabilitation after acute stroke: a systematic review of the literature.

Objective

To identify patient-related factors that have been found to correlate with functional outcomes post acute stroke to guide clinical decision making with regard to rehabilitation admission after acute stroke.

Data Sources

We systematically searched the scientific literature between 1966 and January 2010. The primary source of studies was the electronic databases Medline, CINAHL, and Embase. The search was supplemented with citation tracking.

Study Selection

Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to identify relevant articles from the citations obtained through the literature search. Eligible studies included systematic reviews of prognostic indicators, studies of prognostic indicators of acute discharge disposition, and studies of rehabilitation admission criteria after acute stroke. Of the 8895 studies identified, 83 articles, representing 79 studies, were included in the review.

Data Extraction

One reviewer extracted the data relating to the participants, prognostic indicators, and outcomes. A second reviewer independently checked data extracted with disagreement resolved by a third reviewer. Quality of included studies was assessed for internal and external validity.

Data Synthesis

Of the 79 studies, 26 were systematic reviews of prognostic indicators of functional level and/or discharge disposition, 48 were studies of prognostic indicators of acute discharge disposition, and 6 were studies of rehabilitation selection criteria. The methodologic quality of the included studies was generally poor. Age, cognition, functional level after stroke, and, to a lesser extent, continence were found to have a consistent association with outcome across all 3 research areas. In addition, stroke severity was also associated with acute discharge disposition, final discharge disposition, and functional level. Sex and side of stroke appeared to have no association across all 3 of the research areas.

Conclusions

This review highlights a number of important prognostic indicators and rehabilitation selection criteria that may assist clinicians in improving selection procedures and standardizing access to inpatient rehabilitation after stroke, although the quality of many studies is low. Further high quality studies and reviews of prognostic indicators and clinician decision making with regards to rehabilitation acceptance are required.     

Ambulatory monitoring of arm movement using accelerometry: an objective measure of upper-extremity rehabilitation in persons with chronic stroke

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of accelerometry for measuring upper-extremity rehabilitation outcome. DESIGN: Validation study. SETTING: Data recorded in the community. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CIMT) patients (n = 10) and volunteer community residents with stroke (n = 10). All participants were more than 1 year poststroke and had mild to moderate motor impairment of the more affected arm. INTERVENTION: All study participants were asked to wear accelerometers outside the laboratory for 3 days immediately before and after treatment, or for an approximately equivalent no-treatment period (controls). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants wore an accelerometer on each arm, the chest, and the more affected leg and completed the Motor Activity Log (MAL), which is a semistructured interview of real-world arm use. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability of transformed accelerometer recordings was greater than .86. There was also a large increase in the ratio of transformed more- to less-impaired arm recordings in CIMT therapy patients (d' = 0.9, P < .05), while there was no change for controls. The correlation between this parameter and the MAL was .74 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Accelerometry provides an objective, real-world index of upper-extremity rehabilitation outcome and has good psychometric properties.