Predictive factors for functional and motor recovery following spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage

Intracerebral haemorrhage significantly impacts patients' functional and motor recovery. Identifying predictive factors is crucial for enhancing post-intracerebral haemorrhage rehabilitation strategies. This study explores the predictors of functional improvement and motor recovery in intracerebral haemorrhage survivors.

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary referral hospital, encompassing patients diagnosed with acute spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage from 1 June 2019, to 30 June 2023.

Data on clinical characteristics, activity-based indicators like the initial ability to sit independently without physical assistance and the ability to sit independently for 2 minutes, and haematoma location were analysed to determine their association with functional and motor recovery outcomes, assessed by the modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, and Brunnstrom stages.

Among 310 patients, significant predictors for functional outcomes included hypertension, the initial ability to sit independently without physical assistance, the initial ability to sit independently for 2 min, length of hospitalization, and initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). For motor recovery, the initial ability to sit independently with-out physical assistance, the initial ability to sit independently for 2 min, 24-h NIHSS, and length of hospitalization were identified as strong predictors for Brunnstrom stage recovery of upper and lower limbs.

Predictive factors including hypertension, early NIHSS, the initial ability to sit independently without physical assistance, the initial ability to sit independently for 2 min, and length of hospitalization play a crucial role in predicting functional and motor recovery after intracerebral haemorrhage.