Arm and leg impairments and disabilities after stroke rehabilitation: relation to handicap.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To examine the relationships between measures of impairment and disability for the arm and leg with a measure of handicap and (2) to identify the impairment or disability most strongly related to handicap situations.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Intensive functional rehabilitation unit and community.


METHODS
One hundred and two persons who had a stroke.


METHODS
Arm and leg impairments and disabilities were evaluated with reliable and valid tests at discharge from rehabilitation. Six months later, handicap situations were evaluated with the Assessments of Life Habits (LIFE-H).


RESULTS
Arm and leg impairments and disabilities are correlated with handicap situations. Disability of the leg is more strongly associated with handicap than arm disability. Arm and leg disabilities are not statistically more strongly related to handicap than arm and leg impairments.


CONCLUSIONS
The high correlations found between handicap situations and the impairment and disability measures of the leg provide new information that support the importance of mobility to promote integration after stroke.
Desrosiers
Johanne
J
Research Centre on Aging, Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute and Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. johanne.desrosiers@usherbrooke.ca
Malouin
Francine
F
Bourbonnais
Daniel
D
Richards
Carol L
CL
Rochette
Annie
A
Bravo
Gina
G
D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology; D004856:Postural Balance; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation