Abstract
A stroke can affect individuals at the levels of impairment, activity and participation. The aim of this study is to determine the activity limitations of stroke patients receiving rehabilitation at out-patient Community health Centres (ChCs). A longitudinal observational study was conducted. Activity limitations were measured using the Rivermead Motor Assessment Scale, the Barthel Index and the nottingham extended Activities of Daily living scale (neADl). The study population consisted of 100 patients with stroke consecutively admitted to the Community health Centres for therapy. The data was analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics. The majority of the participants were not able to climb stairs, travel on public transport, wash dishes, do washing, do household chores and shopping, socialize and manage the garden at six months post stroke. A significant improvement was noted in the ability of the participants to perform basic activities of daily living between baseline and two months, but not between two and six months. There was however a significant improvement in their ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living between two and six months. Although the participants were able to perform basic activities of daily living enabling them to be independent in their homes, they were unable to perform instrumental activities of daily living which limited their functioning in the community. There is a need for therapists to include activities which could facilitate re-integration into the community in their rehabilitation of patients with stroke.
Highlights
Stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide (Feigin, et al 2003)
Patients were excluded if they had other neurological impair ments with permanent damage, such as a previous head injury or spinal cord injuries, if they had stroke-like symp toms due to sub-dural haematoma, brain tumour, encephalitis or trauma, if their stroke had occurred more than six weeks before, a pre-stroke Barthel Index Score of < 50 and if no informed consent had been obtained from the patient or family
The participants were recruited into the study at a median 21 days post stroke
Summary
Stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide (Feigin, et al 2003). Disability post-stroke can be con ceptualised using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as described by the World Health Organisation (2001). The ICF assists in analysing the patient’s problems post stroke as well as enabling a systematic analysis of rehabilitation interventions (Wade and de Jong 2000). A stroke can affect individuals at the levels of impairment, activity and par ticipation. The activity limitations expe rienced post-stroke include basic and instrumental activities of daily living.
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