Post-acute brain injury rehabilitation for patients with stroke

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Conduct an investigation of post-acute brain injury rehabilitation (PABIR) for persons with stroke. RESEARCH DESIGN: Pre-post-treatment observation study. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Demographic and medical data for 127 persons with stroke admitted for PABIR at a median interval of 87 days post-stroke were abstracted from medical records. Participants' levels of independence and productivity were assessed at admission and discharge. Follow-up data were available for 90 participants at a median interval of 346 days post-discharge. EXPERIMENTAL INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Participants showed improvements in productivity and independence level from admission to discharge and these gains were maintained at follow-up. Predictors of productivity at discharge were gender and level of independence at admission (Model R(2) = 0.28). Predictors of independence at discharge were similar (Model R(2) = 0.37). CONCLUSION: While this investigation has limitations, findings suggest that PABIR is beneficial for some persons with strokes.