Balance Performance and Motor Function After Inpatient Rehabilitation: a Retrospective Study in Post-stroke Individuals

Abstract

Introduction: Early and intensive rehabilitation programs has been consistently shown to effectively improve post-stroke individuals’ physical functions. Therefore, this study aims to i) examine the effect of an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program on balance performance and motor function and ii) determine whether age and length of hospital stay are associated with balance performance and motor function in post-stroke individuals. Methods: Data of post-stroke individuals who were admitted to the Rehabilitation Medicine Ward, University Malaya Medical Centre, from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data such as gender, diagnosis, length of stay (LOS) and both admission and prior to discharge Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) scores were gathered from the medical records. Results: A total of 55 individuals meet the study criteria. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 51.0 ± 6.2 years and the range of LOS was between 2 – 8 weeks. There was a statistically significant improvement in BBS (p = 0.001), and MAS (p = 0.001) following the rehabilitation program. There was a moderate, positive correlation between the changes in BBS and MAS (r = 0.595, p = 0.001). There was a low, positive association between LOS and changes in MAS score (r = .381, p = .004). No significant association between age and both BBS and MAS (both p > .05). Furthermore, there is no significant correlation between BBS and LOS (p >.05). Conclusion: Post-stroke individuals improved balance performance and motor function after an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program.