The recovery of motor function in post stroke patients.

Purpose: The purpose of the paper was to assess physical recovery in post stroke patients.

Work Method: Prospective cohort study was conducted. The study involved 30 post stroke patients from the city of Nis, aged 40-69. To assess the functional status of the Barthel index (BI) was used. Functional status and BI scores were determined by two times, on admission to the Clinic for rehabilitation and three months after discharge from the Clinic.

Work Results: A total number of patients was 30 (20 men and 10 women). There were twice more men than women (66.7% vs 33.3%, p < 0.001). The average age of all patients was 58.93 +/- 6.86. The majority of patients, were from the age group 60 to 69 years. Left-side hemiparesis had 23(77.%) of all patients (16 men and 7 women). Right-side hemiparesis had 7 (23%) patients (4 men and 3 women). Ischemic as a cause of stroke was found in 92% of patients and hemorrhage in 8%. The values of BI score on admission ranged from 30 to 100, with a mean BI score in all patients on admission to the Clinic was the 57. Three months after discharge from rehabilitation in all patients there was an increase in BI score in relation to the value of BI on admission. The average value of BI score was 79. The determined difference is statistically significant (p < 0.01).

Discussion: All the patients achieved an increase in BI score indicating their improved status after the applied rehabilitation treatment.

Conclusion: At the end of the study 57% of the patients could move independently. Patients with a left-sided lesions had better self care of patients with right-sided lesions. Mobility was better in patients with left-sided lesions at the start of rehabilitation. On completion of the rehabilitation, patients with right-sided lesions still needed external help.