Luca Pratesi

Functional Outcome of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients After Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Matched Comparison

Background and Purpose— The goal of this study was to assess the specific influence of stroke etiology on rehabilitation results. Methods— This was a case-control study of 270 inpatients with sequelae of first stroke who were enrolled in homogeneous subgroups and matched for stroke severity, basal disability, age (within 1 year), sex, and onset admission interval (within 3 days) who were different only in terms of stroke origin, infarction versus hemorrhage. We compared the groups’ length of stay, efficiency and effectiveness of treatment, and percentage of low and high responder patients. Odds ratios of dropouts and of low and high therapeutic response were also quantified. Results— Compared with ischemic patients, hemorrhagic patients had significantly higher Canadian Neurological Scale and Rivermead Mobility Index scores at discharge; higher effectiveness and efficiency on the Canadian Neurological Scale, Barthel Index, and Rivermead Mobility Index; and a higher percentage of high responders on the Barthel Index. Hemorrhagic patients showed a probability of a high therapeutic response on the Barthel Index that was ≈2.5 times greater than that of ischemic patients (odds ratio, 2.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.19 to 5.20; accuracy on prediction, 87.06%). Conclusions— The results of this study provide further evidence of better functional prognosis in stroke survivors with hemorrhagic stroke.

Functional Outcome in Stroke Inpatient Rehabilitation: Predicting No, Low and High Response Patients

The aims of this study were: (1) to identify reliable prognostic factors for detecting subgroups of no, low and high response in consecutive patients admitted for rehabilitation of first stroke sequelae, and (2) to quantify the relative risk of poor or excellent prognosis on both Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and mobility for each significant variable. We prospectively studied 440 of 475 patients. From a group of 32 independent variables, those significantly associated with no, low and high effectiveness on both ADL and mobility were selected by means of multiple regression; then, the relative risk was calculated for each variable that significantly entered the multiple regressions. Patients with severe impairment or with global aphasia showed a relative risk of no response 4–6 times higher than that of other patients. An interval before rehabilitation longer than 2 months was associated with an increasing risk of no response. Elderly patients had a significantly higher relative risk of low response both on ADL and mobility. The presence of hemineglect and depression was associated with an increasing risk of low response on ADL but not on mobility. The absence of hemineglect and a short interval are prerequisites for an excellent functional prognosis on both ADL and mobility. A minor impairment, employed status, the absence of global aphasia and age ≤65 years increased the risk of high response. At the beginning of treatment, clear prognostic factors for the detection of subgroups with poor or excellent rehabilitation prognosis can be identified.

Predicting Stroke Inpatient Rehabilitation Outcome: The Prominent Role of Neuropsychological Disorders

This study was designed to determine the role of demographic, medical and cognitive factors in the results of rehabilitation in first stroke patients. In a prospective study on 273 consecutive patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital for sequelae of first stroke, we used multiple regressions to assess the relationship between 11 independent variables and a battery of outcome measures: mortality, length of hospital stay, Barthel Index (BI) and Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) scores at discharge and their effectiveness. Severity of stroke at admission and hemineglect were the strongest prognostic factors. In a logistic model, cognitive impairment was a significant independent predictor (OR = 4.10) also after adjusting for age and severity of stroke. Patients with hemineglect had a significantly higher relative risk of poor autonomy [RR = 7.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.04-13.18] and impaired mobility (RR = 9.25, CI 4.63-18.45). Global aphasic patients had similar risks for both autonomy (RR = 4.51, CI 2.74-7.41) and mobility (RR = 4.71, CI 2.79-7.97). This study underlines the crucial role of cognitive disorders as predictors of poor functional outcome in stroke survivors and confirms the need for early neuropsychological screening.

Poststroke depression and its role in rehabilitation of inpatients.

OBJECTIVES To identify the prevalence of poststroke depression (PSD) in a population of patients admitted for rehabilitation of neurologic sequelae of their first stroke, to recognize reliable prognostic factors associated with the occurrence of PSD, and to evaluate the impact of PSD on the results of rehabilitation treatment. METHODS In a prospective study of 470 of 508 consecutive patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital for sequelae of their first stroke, the relation between 23 independent variables and the development of depression was assessed by using a logistic regression analysis (forward stepwise). In addition, the impact of PSD on basal disability and on rehabilitation results was assessed by multiple measures (length of stay, efficiency, effectiveness, and percent of low responders on activities of daily living [ADL] and mobility). RESULTS PSD occurred in 129 patients (27.4%). Being female and having more than 8 years of schooling were associated with a higher probability of developing depression (odds ratio [OR] = 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27-2.96, and OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.04-2.48, respectively). No association was found with site or side of cerebral lesion. In a logistic model, depression was a significant independent predictor (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.14-3.46) of low response on ADL in spite of treatment. CONCLUSIONS PSD occurs especially in female patients and in patients with a high level of education and, even if treated, may affect rehabilitation results. No association was found between brain lesion location and PSD.

Who May Benefit From Robotic-Assisted Gait Training? A Randomized Clinical Trial in Patients With Subacute Stroke

Background. Robotic-assisted walking training after stroke aims to enable highly impaired patients to walk independently, but results have been mixed. Objective. The authors aimed to identify the characteristics of patients who may be most likely to benefit. Methods. A total of 48 participants with motor and gait dysfunction following subacute stroke were stratified by the motricity index into high (<29) and low (≥29) motor impairment groups. Each arm was randomized to a robotic or control group (RG or CG) at a mean of 20 days after stroke. All patients underwent 2 therapy sessions per day, 5 days per week for 3 months. Those in the RG underwent 20 sessions of robotic-assisted gait training in the first 4 weeks of inpatient therapy using controlled endpoint trajectories and abbreviated conventional therapy, whereas the CG received only conventional gait training. The primary outcome was the functional ambulation category (FAC), and secondary measures were the Rivermead mobility index (RMI) and 6-minute walking distance, all evaluated at hospital admission and at discharge. Results. The lower motricity group assigned to an electromechanical device significantly improved in the FAC (P < .001), RMI (P = .001), and walking distance (P = .029). Conventional and robotic therapies were equivalent in the higher motricity arm. Conclusion. Robotic therapy combined with conventional therapy may be more effective than conventional therapy alone in patients with greater motor impairment during inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Is Sex a Prognostic Factor in Stroke Rehabilitation? A Matched Comparison

Background and Purpose— We sought to assess the specific influence of sex on rehabilitation results. Methods— A case-control study in 440 consecutive patients with sequelae of first ischemic stroke were enrolled in 2 subgroups (males and females) and matched for severity of stroke (evaluated by means of the Canadian Neurological Scale), age (within 1 year), and onset-admission interval (within 3 days). Functional data, evaluated by means of the Barthel Index and the Rivermead Mobility Index, were compared between subgroups. Logistic regressions were used to clarify the role of sex in affecting global autonomy and mobility. Results— After rehabilitation treatment, a sex-related difference was observed essentially in the higher levels of response. Indeed, more men than women reached independence in both stair climbing and activities of daily living (ADL), with a higher response and effectiveness on mobility. In multivariate analyses, male patients had a 3 times higher probability than female patients of good autonomy in both stair climbing and ADL (odds ratio [OR]=3.22; 95% CI, 1.67 to 6.18 and OR=2.92; 95% CI, 1.63 to 5.42, respectively). Conversely, female patients had a higher risk of walking with a cane (OR=1.69; 95%, CI 1.04 to 2.76) or of partial autonomy with respect to ADL (OR=1.90; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.91). No significant difference was found for the other functional parameters. Conclusions— Female sex is a mildly unfavorable prognostic factor in rehabilitation results after stroke.

Who May Have Durable Benefit From Robotic Gait Training? A 2-Year Follow-Up Randomized Controlled Trial in Patients With Subacute Stroke

Background and Purpose— Robotic-assisted walking training after stroke aims to enhance the odd of regaining independent gait. Recent studies have suggested that this approach is more effective than conventional therapy alone only in severely affected patients. We determined whether these results persist at long-term follow-up. Methods— Forty-eight nonambulant participants after subacute stroke were stratified by motricity index into high (<29) and low (≥29) motor impairment groups. Each arm was randomized to a robotic or control group at a mean of 20 days after stroke. All patients underwent 2 therapy sessions per day, 5 days per week, for 3 months. Robotic group subjects underwent 20 sessions of robotic-assisted gait training in the first 4 weeks of inpatient therapy and abbreviated conventional therapy, whereas control group patients received only conventional gait training. The primary outcome was Functional Ambulation Category, and secondary measures were the Rivermead Mobility Index and Barthel Index scores. The scales were administered before and after the inpatient stay and 2 years after discharge. Results— At follow-up, as at discharge, the low motricity robotic group improved more than the control group counterpart with regard to functional ambulation category (4.7±0.5 versus 3.1±1.5, P=0.002), Barthel Index (76.9±11.5 versus 64.7±14.0, P=0.024), and Rivermead Mobility Index (11.8±3.5 versus 7.0±3.6, P=0.010), whereas conventional and robotic therapies were equally effective in the high motricity groups. Conclusions— The higher efficacy of the combination of robotic therapy and conventional therapy versus conventional therapy alone that was observed at discharge only in patients with greater motor impairments was sustained after 2 years.

Poststroke Late Seizures and Their Role in Rehabilitation of Inpatients

Summary: Purpose: This study was designed to (a) identify the prevalence of poststroke late seizures in a population of patients admitted to rehabilitation of neurologic sequelae of their first stroke, (b) recognize reliable prognostic factors associated with the occurrence of poststroke late seizures, and (c) evaluate the impact of seizures on the results of rehabilitation treatment.

Quantification of the probability of reaching mobility independence at discharge from a rehabilitation hospital in nonwalking early ischemic stroke patients: A multivariate study

Background: This study was designed to quantify the probability of recovery of mobility in admission nonwalking stroke survivors. Methods: We evaluated 437 of 500 consecutive patients admitted for sequelae of first ischemic stroke within the first month. We performed several logistic regressions using mobility status at discharge (independence in stair climbing; walking outside and inside, without aid or supervision; walking with cane or other aid, or need for wheelchair) as dependent variable, and several independent variables, including stratification of patients according to their Barthel Index (BI) score into 6 classes (≤10; 11–20; 21–30; 31–40; 41–50; 51–60). Results: At discharge, 4.58% of patients were independent in stair climbing, 8.70% were able to walk outside, 14.41% to walk inside, and 27.46% to walk with cane or other aid, while 44.85% remained in wheelchair. Very low BI scores at admission were associated with a high risk of need for wheelchair, whereas patients with BI score 51–60 showed a high probability to reach independence in stair climbing (OR = 5.60). Age, severity of neurological impairment, global aphasia, unilateral spatial neglect, male gender and vocational status also played a prognostic role. Conclusions: The probability of potential mobility recovery can be quantified at admission with better accuracy for independence in stair climbing and walking outside without any aid (percentages correctly predicted 95.4 and 91.8%, respectively). Stratification of BI score may be useful to better quantify the risk for each patient.

Aging and Stroke Rehabilitation

The aim of this study was to assess the specific influence of age on basal functional status and rehabilitation results. We conducted a case-comparison study on 150 stroke inpatients. They were enrolled in homogeneous subgroups, matched for severity of stroke (measured by Canadian Neurological Scale – CNS) and onset admission interval (within 3 days) and divided into five subgroups according toage: ≤50; 51–64; 65–74; 75–84; and ≧85 years. Even when severity of stroke was the same, increasing age was associated with greater disability in activities of daily living (ADL) and mobility, minor results of rehabilitation treatment and shorter length of stay. Patients ≧85 years were nearly ten times as likely to show a low response in ADL (OR = 9.28, 95% CI = 2.89–29.76) and nearly six times in mobility (OR = 6.13, 95% CI = 2.18–17.25) than younger patients. However, rehabilitation treatment was efficacious also in patients ≧85 years, with effectiveness of treatment 27.96% on ADL and 18.64% on mobility. On one hand our results confirm the unfavorable influence of age on functional outcome and on the other that inpatient rehabilitation is substantially effective also for very old patients, although less than for younger ones.