Total Functional Independence Measure Research Articles

Sensor-Acquired Reachable Workspace (RWS) Correlates with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Function in Stroke as Measured by Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Self-Care.

Optimal upper extremity motor control and range of motion are necessary to achieve even the basic activities of daily living (ADL) function. Stroke, with resulting hemiparesis, can significantly and negatively impact an individual's ADL function. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) self-care score can provide an assessment of what aspects and to what degree ADL functions are impaired. FIM self-care assessment can also track changes in ADL function during stroke recovery and rehabilitation. Recently, the sensor-acquired 3D motion analysis of stroke patients' upper extremity has shown promise as a potential alternative to assess ADL function. This observational study evaluates whether the sensor-acquired upper extremity reachable workspace (RWS) measure correlates with clinician-evaluated FIM self-care score in stroke patients. Seventeen patients with stroke were enrolled in the study. FIM self-care, NeuroQoL upper extremity, and reachable workspace outcome measures (relative surface area, RSA) were collected upon rehabilitation hospital admission, at discharge, and at the 3-month visit. Pearson and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients as well as multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between FIM self-care, NeuroQoL, and reachable workspace RSAs. Moderately strong correlation between total reachable workspace RSA and total FIM self-care score at discharge and at 3 months were noted (r = 0.619, r = 0.661, p < 0.05), and similarly strong correlation was also noted with the upper extremity NeuroQoL total score (r = 0.690, r = 0.815, p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed a change in average bilateral total RSA of 0.1 unit from admission to the 3-month follow-up correlated with a respective change in the FIM self-care score of 2.011 points (95%CI: 0.663-3.360). Longitudinal improvement in ADL function during stroke rehabilitation and recovery process is correlated with improvement in reachable workspace.

Improvements in activities of daily living among patients with brain tumors are associated with age, baseline physical function, duration of rehabilitation, and tumor recurrence but not type.

Genetic testing has improved the accuracy of diagnosis of brain tumors, and treatment is now tailored to the type of brain tumor. In contrast, the factors that influence the improvement in independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) following rehabilitation have not been clarified, particularly the role of tumor type. In this retrospective cohort study of 358 participants, we analyzed changes in the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) from pre-rehabilitation to post-rehabilitation provided in an acute care hospital. Multiple regression was used to determine whether FIM gain is associated with age, gender, preadmission Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), number of rehabilitation days, average duration of daily therapy (min/day), and tumor recurrence and type (WHO grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 gliomas; primary central nervous system lymphomas; and metastatic brain tumors). The results showed that older age (β -0.183), tumor recurrence (β -0.137), preadmission KPS < 80 (β -0.180), and higher baseline total FIM score (β -0.470) were associated with lower FIM gain whereas the average duration of daily therapy (β 0.153) was associated with higher FIM gain. Brain tumor type was not associated with FIM gain. Improved independence in ADLs is more influenced by demographic, functional status, and treatment factors than differences in brain tumor type.

Community integration after spinal cord injury rehabilitation: Predictors and causal mediators

Context/Objective: Community integration (CI) is a crucial rehabilitation goal after spinal cord injury (SCI). There is a pressing need to enhance our understanding of the factors associated with CI for individuals with traumatic or non-traumatic etiologies, with the latter being notably understudied. Accordingly, our research explores the associations and potential mediators influencing CI across these populations. Setting: Specialized neurological rehabilitation center. Participants: Community-dwelling individuals who were admitted as inpatients within 3 months post-injury (n = 431, 51.9% traumatic, 48.1% non-traumatic), assessed in relation to community integration within 1–3 years after discharge. Outcome Measure: Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). Covariates: American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: Multiple linear regression yielded age, B AIS grade, educational level (< 6 years and <12 years), time since injury to admission, length of stay, HADS-depression at discharge, total FIM at discharge and three social work interventions (support in financial, legal and transportation services) as significant predictors of total CIQ score (Adjusted R 2 = 41.4). Multiple logistic regression identified age, traumatic etiology, educational level (< 6 years and <12 years), length of stay, HADS depression at discharge, total FIM at discharge and one social work intervention (transportation support) as significant predictors of good community integration, AUC (95% CI): 0.82 (0.75-0.89), Sensitivity:0.76, Specificity:0.73. We identified motor FIM at discharge and motor FIM efficiency as causal mediators of total CIQ. Conclusions: We identified modifiable factors during rehabilitation—functional independence, depression, and social work interventions—that are associated with CI.

Prognostic Equations and Accuracy of a Total Score of Functional Independence Measure at Discharge for Different Diseases in a Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward.

Prognosisand goal setting from admission in the convalescent rehabilitation ward, supported by a multidisciplinary team, enhance rehabilitation and discharge support. Predicting functional independence measure (FIM) outcomes can further optimize these processes. This study aimed to develop prognostic equations for the motor FIMat discharge for stroke, hip fracture (HF), vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which are common diseases in patients admitted to convalescent rehabilitation wards, using multiple regression analysis, and to clarify the difference in the accuracy of the predicted motor FIM according to the disease. This study included 965 patients admitted to our hospital. The objective variable consists of the motor FIM at discharge, and the explanatory variables were age, sex, days from onset to admission, total admission motor FIM, and total admission cognitive FIM. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed. The analysis of the difference in the accuracy of predicted motor FIM by disease used the absolute value of the residuals. The total motor FIM and cognitive FIM at admission were extracted for all four diseases included in this study. The absolute value of the residuals appeared to be more accurate for TKA, HF, stroke, and VCF in that order. Although differences in the accuracy of the prediction equation were observed by disease, this prediction equation can be used as an approach to review the details of rehabilitation and discharge and can be tailored to each case.

Sedentary behaviour may cause differences in physical outcomes and activities of daily living in older cardiovascular disease patients participating in phase I cardiac rehabilitation

This study aimed to investigate the rate of sedentary behaviour and differences in physical outcomes and activities of daily living (ADL) based on sedentary behaviour time of hospitalized older cardiovascular disease patients undergoing phase I cardiac rehabilitation. Older cardiovascular disease patients were enrolled from October 2020 to September 2023 and were divided into the high sedentary behaviour group (≥ 480 min/day) and low sedentary behaviour group (< 480 min/day). Patients’ clinical characteristics, usual gait speed, and Five Times Sit to Stand Test time were compared as indices of physical outcomes. Motor, cognitive, and total Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were used as indices of ADL and compared between groups using analysis of covariance. Final analysis included 402 patients (mean age: 76.7 years, female: 35.3%). The high sedentary behaviour group included 48.5% of the study patients. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, gait speed (0.80 ± 0.27 vs. 0.96 ± 0.23 m/s, p < 0.001) was lower and FTSST time (11.31 ± 4.19 vs. 9.39 ± 3.11 s, p < 0.001) was higher in the high sedentary behaviour group versus low sedentary behaviour group. Motor (85.82 ± 8.82 vs. 88.09 ± 5.04 points, p < 0.001), cognitive (33.32 ± 2.93 vs. 34.04 ± 2.24 points, p < 0.001), and total FIM scores (119.13 ± 10.66 vs. 122.02 ± 6.30 points, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the high sedentary behaviour group versus low sedentary behaviour group after adjustment. In older cardiovascular disease patients in phase I cardiac rehabilitation, sedentary behaviour time might influence physical outcomes and ADL at discharge. It is thus important to consider the amount of sedentary behaviour time spent by these patients during daily life while hospitalized.

Functional independence measure, sequelae, and comorbidities in individuals with COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

Objective: to verify whether there is loss of functionality and association between sequelae, comorbidities and between the Functional Independence Measure with sociodemographic data and clinical aspects in individuals affected by COVID-19. Method: this is a cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory and quantitative study. Participants were contacted by telephone and answered a questionnaire covering sociodemographic and clinical aspects; post-COVID-19 sequelae, presence of comorbidities and Functional Independence Measure Scale. Results: 172 individuals participated with an average age of 41.42±14.21 years, 54.7% were female, 34.9% had comorbidities, 80.2% had post-COVID sequelae, 90.1% did not require hospitalization and 93.6% were vaccinated. The total Functional Independence Measure score was 120.73±11.3, corresponding to complete independence. There was an association between the cognitive domain and female sex (p=0.022) and white individuals (p=0.025), and between the motor domain, age between 18 and 59 years (p=0.014) and not being vaccinated against COVID-19 (p=0.046). Conclusion: comorbidities are associated with post-COVID-19 sequelae. Non-vaccinated individuals, when infected with COVID-19, may present impairment in the motor domain.

Turkish translation and transcultural validity and reliability of an assessment tool for spasticity: Leg Activity Measure (Leg A)

ABSTRACT Background The Leg Activity Measure is the only self-report measure that has been published to date that takes into account both the influence on quality of life and passive and active function in the literature. Aims The purpose is to examine the translation, cross-cultural adaptation validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Leg Activity Measure (Tr-LegA). Methods Neurological patients (n = 52) with lower limb spasticity (aged 47.09 ± 14.74 years) were enrolled. The study consisted of two stages. At the first stage, the scale was translated into Turkish and culturally adapted. Validity and reliability analyses were conducted at the second stage. Construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were used for convergent validity. The reproducibility (test-retest reliability) was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Furthermore, the standard error of measurement (SEM) was calculated. Results EFA suggested one factor for the Passive Function and two factors for the Active Function and Impact on Quality of Life Scales (QoL). Tr-LegA Passive and Active Function Scales were correlated with the total RMI, NHP, and FIM (p < 0.05). Tr-LegA Impact on Quality of Life Scale was correlated with the RMI and NHP (p < 0.05). Tr-LegA Passive Function Scale (ICC = 0.997), Tr-LegA Active Function Scale (ICC = 0.996), and Tr-LegA Impact on Quality of Life Scale (ICC = 0.976) had good reliability. Only Passive Function Scale had a significant floor effect (25%). Conclusions Tr-LegA is a valid and reliable multidimensional scale for passive and active function and quality of life in patients with lower limb spasticity. The clinical trial number NCT05182411.

A quantitative cross-sectional study of the burden of caring for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex-associated epilepsy in Japan

IntroductionLennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated epilepsy are rare conditions associated with severe childhood-onset epilepsy. Caregivers play a critical role in the patients’ care and may experience significant psychosocial and socioeconomic burden. This cross-sectional study determined the burden of caring for patients with these rare epilepsy conditions in Japan. MethodsA quantitative online survey was used to assess patients’ and caregivers’ characteristics and the caregivers’ emotional state, among others. Several validated questionnaires were used: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; 0–21 score) assessed the caregivers’ emotional wellbeing, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM; 0–100 score) assessed the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the caregivers and their families, and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment General Health (WPAI:GH; 0–100 % score) questionnaire assessed work productivity. ResultsA total of 36 caregivers responded (median [interquartile range (IQR)] age 43.5 [39.5, 48.3] years; 33/36 [92 %] female; 13/36 [36 %] working part-time and 13/36 [36 %] not working). Participants cared for 7/36 (19 %), 19/36 (53 %), and 10/36 (28 %) patients with LGS, DS, and TSC, respectively (median [IQR] age, 11.0 [6.8, 16.3] years; age at first seizure, 0 [0, 0] years). Patients received a median (IQR) of 4 (3, 5) treatment drug types. Patients experienced median (IQR) 3.0 (0, 21.0) epileptic seizures in the previous week; 28/36 (78 %) had severe intellectual disabilities, and 34/36 (94 %) had developmental delays. Caregivers reported stress (17/36 [47 %]), sleep problems (13/36 [36 %]), and anxiety (12/36 [33 %]). They spent a median (IQR) of 50.0 (17.5, 70.0) hours caregiving in the previous week, with 3.0 (1.0, 11.0) hours of seizure-specific care. Caregivers reported that their lives would be easier with a median (IQR) of 1.5 (0, 5.0) hours fewer per week caring for patients during/following seizures. Median HADS scores were 9.5 (‘suspected anxiety diagnosis’) and 7.5 (‘no depression’) for caregivers, and PedsQL FIM Total median score was 60.1, indicating HRQoL impairment for the caregiver and their family. WPAI:GH scores for paid workers indicated important work impairment. Higher caregiving hours (≥ 21 h vs. < 21 h in the previous week) resulted in higher caregiver burden as indicated by the HADS Total score (p = 0.0062) and PedsQL FIM Total score (p = 0.0007). ConclusionsCaregivers of patients with LGS, DS, or TSC in Japan experience a significant time burden, reduced HRQoL, and high level of work/activity impairment. Caregivers provide round-the-clock care to patients and rely on family and specialized caring services to help manage the increased caregiving time, which tends to be associated with greater emotional burden and HRQoL impact.

Predicting inpatient rehabilitation length of stay for adults with traumatic spinal cord injury

Introduction Most post-injury traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) care occurs in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. The inpatient rehabilitation length of stay (R-LOS) has been shown to be a significant predictor of motor function restoration in persons with TSCI. Due to the complexity, and heterogeneity of individuals with TSCI, the R-LOS is challenging to predict at admission. Purpose To identify the main predictors of R-LOS and derive an equation to estimate R-LOS in persons with TSCI. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of data from adults with TSCI from The Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry in Alberta, Canada, who received rehabilitation care between May 10, 2005, and January 28, 2020. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine significant relationships between R-LOS and measures of participant demographics, length of stay, impairment and injury classification, and comorbidities. Results The analysis included 736 adults with TSCI from an eligible cohort of 1365. The median R-LOS was 65 days (IQR 39–99 days), ranging from 1 to 469 days. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified two significant predictors of R-LOS, total FIM score and the injury classification. This model was used to derive a R-LOS prediction equation, which explained 34% of the variance in R-LOS. Conclusion We developed a simple equation to predict R-LOS based on the level of impairment and total FIM scores in persons with TSCI. These data have implications for health system planning, improvement, and innovation, and provide insights to support further research into the predictors of R-LOS, identification of higher-risk individuals.

Is the isokinetic strength of nonparetic lower limb related to fatigue in stroke survivors? A cross-sectional study.

The study aimed to investigate the correlation between nonparetic knee muscle strength and fatigue in a cohort of stroke survivors. Thirty-two stroke survivors (17 females, 15 males; median age 62 (interquartile range [IQR] 51-69), (min: 45, max: 81) years were recruited in this cross-sectional study between January 2012 and September 2012. Sociodemographic, clinical, and stroke-related parameters were recorded. All participants underwent an isokinetic measurement of the nonparetic knee flexion and extension. Functional independence measure, functional ambulation category, and Mini-Mental State Examination scores were used to evaluate the functional status, ambulation, and mental status of the patients. Anxiety, depression, and fatigue severity were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and fatigue severity scale (FSS), respectively. The median duration of stroke was 3.1 (IQR: 2.5-6.5) months. Stroke survivors with reduced muscle strength were older and had lower motor and total functional independence measure scores than those with normal strength (p=0.026, p=0.034, and p=0.034, respectively). There were more patients with lower functional ambulation category scores in the group with reduced muscle strength (p=0.023). Peak torque values of knee flexors at 60°/sec and 180°/sec correlated negatively with FSS (r= -0.360, p=0.043 and r= -0.452, p=0.009, respectively). There was also a negative correlation between the work of knee extensor and flexors at 180°/sec and FSS (r= -0.398, p=0.024 and r= -0.451, p=0.010, respectively). Anxiety and depression scores were not significantly correlated with fatigue. The lower strength of nonparetic knee extensor muscles was related to greater disability and worse ambulatory scores. The lower strength of knee flexor muscles and the work of both knee muscles in the nonparetic limb were related to higher fatigue levels in stroke survivors. Therefore, fatigue management and strengthening of both knee flexor and extensor muscles in the nonparetic limb is emphasized during stroke rehabilitation.

Veterans with familial ALS and bulbar and respiratory presentations at onset had shorter survival.

We sought to characterize the clinical prognostic factors in veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) followed in our ALS clinic. ALS is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative condition associated with decreased survival compared to that in the normal population. The electronic medical records of 105 veterans diagnosed with ALS who are followed in our ALS clinic between 2010 and 2021 were reviewed. Approval from the institutional review board was obtained from the study protocol. Demographic and clinical variables included age at symptom onset, age at initial evaluation, survival (from symptom onset to death), gender, site of onset (appendicular, bulbar, and respiratory), initial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional-related score-revised (ALSFRS-R), total functional independence measure (TFIM) scores, initial forced vital capacity (FVC), and interventions (Riluzole, gastrostomy, noninvasive ventilation [NIV], and tracheostomy). Normally distributed data was expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Fischer's exact analysis of the distribution differences of categorical data. The Kaplan-Meier plot analyzed the time-to-event. The mean (SD) age at symptom onset was 62.0 (11.1) years, age at diagnosis was 65 (11) years, with 72% of the patients being over 60 years at diagnosis. The median survival time from symptom onset was 4.12 (3) years. Limb-onset ALS (appendicular) was the most frequent (52%) followed by bulbar-onset ALS (43%). The mean ALSFRS-R and TFIM scores were 31 (8) and 91 (25), respectively. Family history (familial), bulbar, and respiratory presentation at diagnosis were associated with shorter survival times. This study suggests that of the clinical prognostic factors veterans with familial ALS, bulbar, and respiratory onset at presentations had shorter survival. The presence of Agent Orange, PEG placement, and NIV did not affect survival.

Comparison of One-Year Postinjury Mobility Outcomes Between Locomotor Training and Usual Care After Motor Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.

To compare 1-year mobility outcomes of individuals with traumatic motor incomplete spinal cord injury (miSCI) who participated in standardized locomotor training (LT) within the first year of injury to those who did not. This retrospective case-control analysis conducted with six US rehabilitation hospitals used SCI Model Systems (SCIMS) data comparing 1-year postinjury outcomes between individuals with miSCI who participated in standardized LT to those who received usual care (UC). Participants were matched on age, gender, injury year, mode of mobility, and rehabilitation center. The primary outcome is the FIM Total Motor score. Other outcomes include the FIM Transfer Index, FIM Stairs, and self-reported independence with household mobility, community mobility, and stairs. LT participants reported significantly better FIM Total Motor (difference = 2.812, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.896, 17.282) and FIM Transfer Index scores (difference = 0.958, 95% CI = 0.993, 4.866). No significant between-group differences were found for FIM Stairs (difference = 0.713, 95% CI = -0.104, 1.530) or self-reported household mobility (odds ratio [OR] = 5.065, CI = 1.435, 17.884), community mobility (OR = 2.933, 95% CI = 0.868, 9.910), and stairs (OR = 5.817, 95% CI = 1.424, 23.756) after controlling for multiple comparisons. LT participants reported significantly greater improvements in primary and secondary measures of mobility and independence (FIM Total Motor score; FIM Transfer Index) compared to UC participants. Self-reported mobility outcomes were not significant between groups.

Evaluation of a novel sub-acute Hospital in the Home model for providing inpatient geriatric and rehabilitation services.

ObjectiveTo report on the development and implementation of a multidisciplinary, sub-acute Geriatric Evaluation and Management Rehabilitation Hospital in the Home (GEMRHITH) model of care with the initial 2years' service outcome data (October 2019 - September 2021).MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using hospital centralised data, and the GEMRHITH internal service database. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the patient population. Student's t-test was used for comparative data.ResultsOver 2years, GEMRHITH admitted 617 patients (13%, n=82 directly from the emergency department). Median age was 82years (range, 32-102 years), with 60.5% (n=373) being female and 39.5% (n=244) presenting with moderate frailty. Most patients (79.6%, n=491) entered from a medical speciality (28.5%, n=178 from neurology). Average GEMRHITH stay was 6days (range, 1-33 days). Average bed occupancy was 5.3 virtual beds. There was an average of 26 discharges per month with 97% of patients (n=598) discharged to their own home. Transfers back to the emergency department with the same diagnosis-related group were low (3.6%). The 7-28day re-admission rate was 2.3%. Service safety was high, with only eight hospital-acquired complications reported in seven patients. Significant improvements were noted for total and sub-scale Functional Independence Measure scores (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe addition of rehabilitation and geriatric care to traditional HITH services provides opportunities for multidisciplinary teams to support a larger cohort of patients with various medical and surgical conditions and functional abilities, to efficiently transition home from hospital settings. There were minimal complications and occupied bed stays were saved within a hospital.

Impact of intracerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction on ADL and outcome in stroke patients: A retrospective cohort study.

The impact of different stroke types on specific activities of daily living (ADL) is unclear. To investigate how differences between intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and cerebral infarction (CI) affect improvement of ADL in patients with stroke within a hospital by focusing on the sub-items of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Patients with first-stroke hemiplegia (n = 212) were divided into two groups: ICH (86 patients) and CI (126 patients). Primary assessments included 13 motor and 5 cognitive sub-items of the FIM assessed at admission and discharge. Between-group comparisons and multiple regression analyses were performed. Upon admission, the ICH group exhibited significantly lower FIM scores than those of the CI group across various activities, including grooming, dressing (upper body and lower body), toileting, bed/chair transfer, toilet transfer, walking/wheelchair, and stairs. Age and FIM motor scores at admission influenced both groups' total FIM motor scores at discharge, whereas the duration from onset affected only the CI group. Several individual FIM motor items were more adversely affected by ICH than by CI. Factors related to ADL at discharge may differ depending on stroke type. Recognizing these differences is vital for efficient rehabilitation practices and outcome prediction.

The association between inpatient rehabilitation intensity and outcomes after stroke in Ontario, Canada.

Several studies have demonstrated improved outcomes poststroke when higher intensity rehabilitation is provided. Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations advise patients receive 180 min of therapy time per day; however, the exact amount required to reach benefit is unknown. The primary aim of this study was to determine the association between rehabilitation intensity (RI) and total Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Instrument change. Secondary aims included determining the association between RI and discharge location, 90-day home time, rehabilitation effectiveness, and motor and cognitive FIM change. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using available administrative databases of acute stroke patients discharged to inpatient rehabilitation facilities in Ontario, Canada, from January 2017 to December 2021. RI was defined as number of minutes per day of direct therapy by all providers divided by rehabilitation length of stay. The association between RI and the outcomes of interest were analyzed using regression models with restricted cubic splines. A total of 12,770 individuals were included. Mean age of the sample was 72.6 years, 46.0% of individuals were female, and 87.6% had an ischemic stroke. Mean RI was 74.7 min (range: 5-162 min) per day. Increased RI was associated with an increase in mean FIM change. However, there was diminishing incremental increase after reaching 95 min/day. Increased RI was positively associated with motor and cognitive FIM change, rehabilitation effectiveness, 90-day home time, and discharge to preadmission setting. Higher RI was associated with a lower likelihood of discharge to long-term care. None of the patients met the recommended RI of 180 min/day based on the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations. Despite this, higher intensity was associated with better outcomes. Given that most positive associations were observed with a RI ⩾95 min/day, this may be a more feasible target.

Image Findings as Predictors of Fall Risk in Patients with Cerebrovascular Disease.

This study examined computed tomography findings in patients with cerebrovascular disease and determined predictors for falls. Images of the head were divided into 13 regions, and the relationships between computed tomography findings and the presence or absence of falls were investigated. A total of 138 patients with cerebrovascular disease (66% men, aged 73.8 ± 9.6 years) were included. A comparison between the fall and non-fall groups revealed a significant difference in the total functional independence measure scores and imaging findings at admission. Logistic regression analysis showed that the thalamus (p < 0.001), periventricular lucency (p < 0.001), lateral hemisphere room enlargement (p < 0.05), and age (p < 0.05) were related to the presence or absence of falls. For the 42 patients with cerebral hemorrhage, the thalamus (p < 0.01), periventricular lucency (p < 0.05), lateral ventricle vicinity (p < 0.05), and posterior limb of the internal capsule (p < 0.05) were extracted as factors related to the presence or absence of falls. For the 96 patients with cerebral infarction, the thalamus (p < 0.001), periventricular lucency (p < 0.01), and anterior limb of the internal capsule (p < 0.05) were extracted as factors related to the presence or absence of falls. This study found a relationship between the thalamus, lateral ventricle enlargement, periventricular lucency, and falls. Fall prognosis can potentially be predicted from computed tomography findings at admission.

Machine Learning Web Application for Predicting Functional Outcomes in Patients With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Following Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Accurately predicting functional outcomes in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) helps clinicians set realistic functional recovery goals and improve the home environment after discharge. The present study aimed to develop and validate machine learning (ML) models to predict functional outcomes in patients with SCI and deploy the models within a web application. The study included data from the Japan Association of Rehabilitation Database from January 1, 1991, to December 31, 2015. Patients with SCI who were admitted to an SCI center or transferred to a participating post-acute rehabilitation hospital after receiving acute treatment were enrolled in this database. The primary outcome was functional ambulation at discharge from the rehabilitation hospital. The secondary outcome was the total motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score at discharge. We used binary classification models to predict whether functional ambulation was achieved, as well as regression models to predict total motor FIM scores at discharge. In the training dataset (70% random sample) using demographic characteristics and neurological and functional status as predictors, we built prediction performance matrices of multiple ML models and selected the best one for each outcome. We validated each model's predictive performance in the test dataset (the remaining 30%). Among the 4181 patients, 3827 were included in the prediction model for the total motor FIM score. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 50.4 (18.7) years, and 3211 (83.9%) patients were male. There were 3122 patients included in the prediction model for functional ambulation. The CatBoost Classifier and regressor models showed the best performances in the training dataset. On the test dataset, the CatBoost Classifier had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.8572 and an accuracy of 0.7769 for predicting functional ambulation. Likewise, the CatBoost Regressor performed well, with an R2 of 0.7859, a mean absolute error of 9.2957, and a root mean square error of 13.4846 for predicting the total motor FIM score. The final models were deployed in a web application to provide functional predictions. The application can be found at http://3.138.174.54:8501. In conclusion, our prediction models developed using ML successfully predicted functional outcomes in patients with SCI and were deployed in an open-access web application.

Effect of Post-stroke Depression on Functional Outcomes of Patients With Stroke in the Rehabilitation Ward: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of post-stroke depression in a rehabilitation ward and elucidate its effect on functional improvement and outcomes. DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingA convalescent rehabilitation ward at a University Hospital. ParticipantsA total of 114 patients with stroke (mean [SD] age, 67.2 [13.5] years; men, 76) assessed at 2 weeks after admission using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview were enrolled. Main Outcome MeasureFunctional independence measure (FIM) efficiency during hospitalization in the ward. ResultsEleven patients (9.6%) had depression based on the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Total FIM efficiency and FIM efficiency in the subtotal of motor items were significantly higher in the non-depression group than in the depression group (median [interquartile range]: 0.69 [0.39-0.95] vs 0.41 [0.24-0.63], P=.027; and 0.56 [0.38-0.80] vs 0.42 [0.18-0.49], P=.023, respectively). Patients in the non-depression group had higher FIM scores at discharge (median [interquartile range]: 116.0 [104.5-123.0] vs 104.0 [82.5-112.0], P=.013, respectively), and were more likely to be discharged home (80.6% vs 36.4%, P=.003). Furthermore, patients in the depression group also stayed significantly longer in the ward (71.0 [36.1] vs 106.1 [43.3], P=.010). ConclusionsPatients with post-stroke depression showed poorer efficiency of functional recovery than those without depression. A future multicenter study with a larger sample size is needed to verify these findings.

Association between National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Functional Independence Measure scores in patients with ischemic stroke from convalescent rehabilitation outcomes.

We investigated the associations among neurological severity, activities of daily living (ADLs), and clinical factors in patients with ischemic stroke in convalescent rehabilitation outcome. The study sample included 723 patients with ischemic stroke (484 men and 239 women; mean age, 73.2 ± 8.5 years) for inpatient convalescent rehabilitation. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to measure the neurological severity, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used to assess ADLs at discharge. Leukoaraiosis was graded based on periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) and deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH) on magnetic resonance imaging. The correlations between NIHSS scores and total FIM scores were significant but relatively mild (r = -0.684, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that age and PVH grade significantly decreased their total FIM scores and affected the discrepancies between NIHSS scores at discharge (P < 0.001), but DWMH scores did not affect these results. Factors such as positive history of heart disease (P = 0.008) and bilateral infarction (P = 0.038) additionally decreased their total FIM scores and affected the discrepancies between NIHSS scores. These findings suggest that age, PVH, history of heart disease positive, and bilateral infarction in patients with ischemic stroke affected their performance of ADLs and the discrepancies between their neurological severities in convalescent rehabilitation outcomes, probably because the pathophysiological background of leukoaraiosis and these factors strongly decrease their ADL performance in post-phase ischemic stroke.

Physical functioning factors predicting a return home after stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to identify the physical functioning factors associated with home discharge after inpatient stroke rehabilitation. A search of PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, The Cochrane Library (Trials), Web of Science, and PEDro were conducted up until May 2023. Two independent reviewers selected studies for population (patients with stroke), predictive factors (physical functioning), outcome (discharge destination), setting (inpatient rehabilitation), and study designs (observational and experimental studies). Predictive factors were identified among assessments of the "body function" and "activity" components of the International Classification of Functioning. Methodological quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The findings used quantitative and narrative syntheses. Meta-analyses were performed with the inverse variance method and the random-effects model using included studies with sufficient data. Forty-five studies were included with 204,787 participants. Included studies assessed the association of independence in activities of daily living, walking, rolling, transferring, and balance on admission with a probability of returning home. Motor (odds ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.12-1.35, p < .001) and total (odds ratio = 1.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.57, p < .001) Functional Independence Measure scores on admission were significantly associated with home discharge in meta-analyses. Additionally, included studies showed that independence in motor activities, such as sitting, transferring, and walking, and scores above thresholds for the Functional Independence Measure and Berg Balance Scale on admission were associated with discharge destination. This review showed that higher independence in activities of daily living on admission is associated with home discharge after inpatient stroke rehabilitation.