Recovery of the sit-to-stand movement after stroke: a longitudinal cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To present quantitative data on sit-to-stand (STS)-related functioning and recovery during the first year after stroke. STS-related functioning was used to evaluate independent STS movement, rising speed, and actual STS performance during normal daily life.


METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study of 50 patients poststroke. Assessments were made at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 48 weeks poststroke. Actual STS performance was assessed at 0, 12, and 48 weeks. The main outcome measures were the following: ability to rise independently, rising speed (power chair stand up), number of STS movements, percentage of time walking and standing during daily life (using an activity monitor), and clinical outcomes, measured among others by the Barthel index (BI).


RESULTS
During year 1, the percentage of patients able to rise increased from 54% to 83%. Most improvements occurred during weeks 0 to 12, whereas no significant changes were observed during weeks 12 to 24. Rising speed similarly increased from 0.15 to 0.26 s(-1) during weeks 0 to 12 and to 0.30 s(-1) at week 48. Gait speed and BI also significantly increased. The number of STS movements increased significantly during weeks 0 to 12 (from 10.6 to 17.7) but not during weeks 12 to 48.


CONCLUSIONS
STS-related functioning improved significantly in the first year after stroke, with the most improvement occurring during the first 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, rising speed, gait speed, and BI continue to improve.
Janssen
Wim
W
Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. w.janssen@erasmusmc.nl
Bussmann
Johannes
J
Selles
Ruud
R
Koudstaal
Peter
P
Ribbers
Gerard
G
Stam
Henk
H
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking