Predictors of stroke outcome using objective measurement scales.

We set out to determine if rehabilitation variables predicted the motor and functional outcomes of stroke patients. Using the Modified Motor Assessment Scale (motor status) and the Barthel Index (functional status), we tested 50 stroke patients less than or equal to 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month after their stroke and at discharge from the hospital. Both measures are reliable and valid. We used the Spearman correlation coefficient (r) and stepwise regression analysis to analyze the data. Balanced sitting and bladder control scores at 1 week correlated significantly with motor score at discharge (r = 0.83), Barthel Index score at discharge (r = 0.82), and walking score at discharge (r = 0.80). The combined arm score at 1 month correlated significantly with the combined arm score at discharge (r = 0.94). Regression equations using the scores at 1 month produced the highest r2 values (range 0.76-0.95) in predicting the Barthel Index, motor, walking, and arm recovery scores at discharge. The correlation coefficients and the regression equations have uses in both research and clinical settings. We suggest that these objective predictors of recovery be used as adjuncts in prioritizing and directing the rehabilitation management of patients with stroke.