Berg Balance Scale score at admission can predict walking suitable for community ambulation at discharge from inpatient stroke rehabilitation
Dennis R. Louie, Janice J. Eng
Rehabilitation Research Program, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2280
Lay Abstract
Regaining mobility is the top rehabilitation goal set by patients with stroke and is an important determinant of whether a patient is able to return home. In this study we observed 123 participants over four weeks, from admission to stroke rehabilitation until discharge. We identified the characteristics of stroke patients when they are admitted that predict their walking ability after four weeks of rehabilitation. Early balance function was found to be able to predict whether a patient will go on to walk unassisted or at a speed suitable for the community. Other important variables to consider when a patient is admitted to rehabilitation are cognitive function and whether the stroke itself was the result of a clot or bleed.
Supplementary content
