Can the Amount of Interventions during the Convalescent Phase Predict the Achievement of Independence in Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Stroke? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the amount of physical, occupational, and speech therapy intervention and optimal timing necessary for activities of daily living (ADL) independence in patients with stroke.

METHOD

Patients (N = 441) with stroke admitted to the convalescent rehabilitation ward were classified into an early intervention or a nonearly intervention group on the basis of the duration from the date of onset to date of hospital admission. Logistic regression model was used to identify factors influencing independence in ADL in both groups. Cutoff point, likelihood ratio, and posterior probabilities for ADL independence were calculated, and diagnostic accuracy was evaluated for extracted factors.

RESULTS

Results of logistic regression analysis revealed that age and physical and occupational therapy intervention amount provided during convalescent phase and Functional Independent Measure (FIM) motor score at admission significantly influenced independence in ADL at discharge from the hospital in the early intervention group (hospitalization date was 30 days or less). The cutoff point was 168 hours; positive likelihood ratio was 1.74; negative likelihood ratio was .78; and the posterior probability for the time spent by the therapist was 81.0%. FIM motor score at admission was the only factor extracted for the nonearly intervention group (hospitalization date was 31 days or more).

CONCLUSION

The ADL independence in patients with stroke admitted to convalescent rehabilitation ward during their convalescent phase cannot be determined simply on the basis of the amount of physical and occupational therapy they receive.