Stroke rehabilitation: correlation and prognostic value of computerized tomography and sequential functional assessments.

In a 13-month period, 41 selected patients with cerebrovascular accidents were studied utilizing computerized tomography of the brain and the Barthel index in an attempt to correlate findings with final rehabilitation outcome. Parameters that were studied included age, sex, lesion size and location, and functional status on admission, during hospitalization, and at discharge. Multiple regression analysis assessed impact of the five independent variables on functional outcome as measured by predischarge Barthel scores. Initial Barthel scores emerged as the most reliable predictor factor, explaining 64% of the variability. The study suggested that computerized tomography scans of the brain are presently not as reliable predictors as sequential functional assessments and should be considered as an adjunct measure.