Impact of Inpatient Rehabilitation on Quality of Life Among Stroke Patients

Background Despite remarkable progression in the treatment of stroke, the quality of life (QoL) and social-related events caused by stroke have received limited attention in our country. The assessment of QOL is an important part of the evaluation of stroke patients and their management. Objective To assess the QoL in patients with stroke at the time of admission in the rehabilitation unit and assess the impact of inpatient rehabilitation on change in QoL in these patients. Materials and methods Adult patients with first arterial stroke of any duration, with presentation as hemiplegia were recruited. The clinical outcome scales and SF-36 parameters for QOL were assessed at both admission and discharge. The scales used were Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS), Barthel Index (81), modified Rankin Scale (mRS). SF-36 scores were assessed after 6 weeks of discharge also. Results Ten patients with a median age of 36.5 years and a median duration of stroke 75 days were recruited. There was significant improvement in functional scores of 81 and SSS scales at the time of discharge. Majority of the components of both physical and mental domains of QOL SF-36 questionnaire showed significant improvement. The QOL scores after 6 weeks of discharge did not show significant change except for the emotional well-being. Conclusion The QOL in patients with stroke improves with inpatient rehabilitation along with motor and functional scores. Improved functional independence leads to better emotional state after discharge also.