Effectiveness of Training of ADL and Walking in the Stroke Ward.

During living time in the ward, the intensive training was performed on 35 stroke hemiplegic patients who could not accomplish independent ADL even after 6-month or more physical therapy. According to patients’ motor development levels, the training was composed of rising from a bed, standing-up, gait with assist and independent gait. The training was mainly conducted by a nurse or physician, and the changes in ADL and gait function were assessed by Barthel Index and the 10 m maximum walking speed, respectively, 7 times in total; before training, twice a week for 12 weeks. ADL and gait function were improved markedly 2 weeks after the initiation of training in the ward. The results indicated that not only the training in the training room but also the intensive training in the ward plays an integral role in functional recovery of stroke hemiplegic patients. ADL correlates with gait function, and improvement in gait function in the ward therefore exerts major effects on improvement in ADL.