Outcome studies in stroke rehabilitation. The South Australian Stroke Study

Like most longitudinal studies, this review has posed more questions than answers. It has, however, enabled us to make the following important statements about stroke rehabilitation outcome: 1. The determinants of outcome depend to a great extent on factors other than the nature and extent of the impairment. It seems that the patient's subjective perception of himself as either well or ill may be a major determinant of subsequent behavior in terms of functional dependence (disability). 2. What people are able to do at 6 months or more after the completion of formal rehabilitation is the real measure of its effectiveness. 3. An index of "quality of life" based on, for example, the concepts of the Frenchay index is needed to evaluate the role and function of people in community living.