Predicting functional outcome following acute stroke using a standard clinical examination.

In a series of 149 patients admitted to a stroke unit, the outcome of the acute phase of stroke rehabilitation, assessed by the patients' return to independence, was found to be related to the results of standardized weekly clinical examinations of mental, motor, sensory and communication function. The prediction of subsequent independence was estimated just as accurately using the results from three of these tests (upper limb motor function, postural function and proprioception) as when using the entire set of tests. A group of patients with little chance of responding to rehabilitation was identified.