Age-related rehabilitation outcome in stroke patients.
BACKGROUND
Patients who survive a stroke usually have residual neurological deficits. Consequently, a rehabilitation program is valuable for improving their quality of life (QOL). However, age is a known factor that needs qualification vis-à-vis rehabilitation outcomes among Thai patients.


OBJECTIVE
To study the functional and psychological outcomes and the QOL before and after rehabilitation program among three age groups of Thai stroke patients (< or = 44, 45-64 and > or = 65 years of age).


METHODS
Prospective, analytical study.


METHODS
Three hundred and twenty seven stroke patients were measured using the Barthel index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and the WHO QOL BREF questionnaire before and after undergoing an in-patient rehabilitation program. Data were collected from nine sites around Thailand.


RESULTS
Functional and psychological outcomes and the quality of life score improved after the rehabilitation program. The youngest group of stroke victims showed the greatest improvement in functional outcome and QOL score in both the physical and social domains. No significant difference was found regarding anxiety and depression among the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
An in-patient rehabilitation program was of benefit to Thai stroke patients but age significantly determined rehabilitation outcomes.
Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. natman@kku.ac.th
Nuttaset
N
Manimmanakorn
Preeda
P
Arrayawichanon
Pattra
P
Wattanapun
Chompilai
C
Nuntharuksa
Vilai
V
Kuptniratsaikul
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand