Effect of Introduction of a Convalescence Rehabilitation Ward on Patients with Cerebral Vascular Accidents -Investigation at a Hospital in North-West Tokyo Area-

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The purpose of this study was to clarify the changes in the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) of patients with Cerebral Vascular Accidents (CVA) before and after the establishment of the convalescence rehabilitation ward at the Jiseikai Tokumaru Rehabilitation Hospital. The subjects were 316 patients (pre-establishment group, 158; postestablishment group, 158) who had been hospitalized for rehabilitation purposes at the hospital. There was no significant difference between the two groups in basic characteristics. The period from on-set to admission (POA) has shortened and the execution time of rehabilitation has significantly increased in the post-establishment group. In addition, gain of Barthel Index (BI) in the month after hospitalization has increased significantly in this group. These findings suggest that the effects of concentrated rehabilitation in the convalescent rehabilitation ward at the early stage of stroke appear in the increase of the BI in the month after therapeutic intervention and contribute to early discharge from hospital.