Functional Assessment Using Barthel Index in Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation

Abstract

The objective of this retrospective analytic study was to study the results of outpatient stroke rehabilitation based on Barthel Index among 30 stroke patients with inclusion criteria of outpatients undergoing a rehabilitation program during March 2007 - February 2008 in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya hospital.

In a review of the patients’ medical records, the following data were retrieved: demographic data, pathology, duration from onset to rehabilitation program, number of attendances of rehabilitation program, and Barthel Index score (pre and post rehabilitation program). In data analyses and comparisons between pre and post rehabilitation program,descriptive statistics, t-test, and Pearson’s product mement correlation coefficient were employed.

The results of the study revealed that: there was statistically significant difference between score measured pre and post outpatient rehabilitation program. The younger group showed the greater improvement in functional outcomes. Likewise, attending rehabilitation program within less than 3 month duration from the onset as well as increasing number of rehabilitation program attendances showed the greater improvement in functional outcome with statistical significance. In conclusion, outpatient stroke rehabilitation program results significantly in better functional outcome.