Correlation between trunk function improvement and recovery of activities of daily living after stroke in older adult patients

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives To examine the impact of improved trunk function on activities of daily living in stroke patients using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Methods This retrospective observational study was conducted on patients aged ≥ 65 years who had cerebral infarction. Patients were divided into a group with improved trunk function and a group without trunk function improvement based on the difference between the calculated Functional Assessment for Control of Trunk (FACT) gain at discharge and admission. Results Of the 218 patients (mean age, 79.5 ± 7.9 years; 56.9% were men) included, 110 patients had improved FACT scores. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the group with improved FACT scores had higher FIM gain (coefficient = 7.562, 95% confidence interval = 3.870–11.253, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the factors associated with FACT score improvement were the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form score at admission, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, FACT score at admission, length of hospital stay, and period of rehabilitation. Discussions Improvement in trunk function suggests a positive correlation with the recovery of activities of daily living in patients with cerebral infarction. This relationship should be further validated through prospective observational studies.