[Efficiency of post-stroke rehabilitation measures at hospital: quantitative analysis of motor function recovery]

Mobility recovery is one of the main purposes of physical rehabilitation after acute stroke and in a number of other neurological diseases.

To quantify the efficiency of rehabilitation measures in patients after stroke and to compare the effectiveness of motor function restoration in patients in the acute phase of stroke and in the early recovery period.

Examinations were made in 116 patients aged 27 to 88 years who had experienced a stroke (75% of ischemic stroke cases) and been admitted to the Department of Medical Rehabilitation. A control group consisted of 111 sex- and age-matched patients who had suffered a stroke (86% of ischemic stroke cases) and been admitted to the Department of Neurology for patients with acute cerebrovascular accident. The methods of working with patients included a clinical interview and an evaluation of complaints and history data, as well as a classic neurological examination using quantitative scales to assess symptoms, degree of disability and mobility.

The cycle of rehabilitation measures provided the following quantitative recovery indicators: the strength scale showed recovery indicators (from 0 to 5 scores) by an average of 1 score in both groups; Ashworth's scale scores for spasticity improved by an average of 1 in the Department of Rehabilitation; the average Rankin scale demonstrated 1 score better in both groups; and the Rivermead mobility index improved by an average of 3 scores in the Department of Rehabilitation and by an average of 8 scores in the Department of Neurology for patients with acute cerebrovascular accident.

The investigation demonstrated the quantitatively best indicators in patients with acute stroke, in those with more severe motor deficits, and in younger individuals.