Activity Limitations Experienced by People With Stroke Who Receive Inpatient Rehabilitation: Differences Between 2001, 2005, and 2011

Abstract Objective To determine whether there were differences in characteristics and activity limitations relevant to physiotherapists among people receiving inpatient rehabilitation after stroke in 2001, 2005, and 2011. Design A multicenter observational study of 3 periods. Setting Inpatient rehabilitation units (N=15). Participants Adult stroke survivors (N=738) admitted over 3 periods (2001, 2005, 2011). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Characteristics, hospital metrics, and Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) scores were recorded on admission and discharge. Results All 3 cohorts were similar in terms of sex, side affected by stroke, and length of time from stroke onset to rehabilitation admission. Stroke participants in the 2005 cohort were older than those in the 2011 and 2001 cohorts. Participants in the 2011 cohort had a longer inpatient rehabilitation length of stay, experienced lower average MAS gains per day (F>3.298, P Conclusions In 2011, on average, people admitted for rehabilitation after stroke were approximately the same age as patients in 2005 and 2001 and it took approximately 2 weeks for all of these patients to be admitted to a rehabilitation unit, but patients in 2011 had a longer inpatient rehabilitation length of stay compared with patients in 2005 and 2001. In addition, activity limitations at inpatient rehabilitation admission and discharge appear to be worse, particularly for activities such as rolling, sitting up over the edge of the bed, and balanced sitting.