Record Status This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database. Citation Sehatzadeh S. Effectiveness of increased intensity of rehabilitation in post-stroke patients: a rapid review. Toronto: Health Quality Ontario (HQO). Rapid Review. 2013 Authors' objectives The objective of this analysis is to investigate whether increasing the intensity of rehabilitation for the first few weeks after stroke can improve functional independency in terms of activities of daily living in patients with stroke. Authors' conclusions The majority of the studies analyzed were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and included patients hospitalized for stroke. These studies compared 1 level of intensity of rehabilitation with another. The summary score of the studies that reported mean scores as well as the results of individual studies are
consistent. In conclusion, the present finding suggests that functional recovery in patients hospitalized for
stroke, as measured using the Barthel Index or Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, is not greater with higher intensity rehabilitation compared with the standard rehabilitation.
Significant improvements in scores from baseline to 6 months were observed regardless of the intensity of
rehabilitation. This improvement may also be due to spontaneous natural neurological recovery or through other interventions that may enhance neurological recovery.
Note: Since there is some discrepancy between the findings in this rapid review and the opinions of experts in the field of stroke rehabilitation, Health Quality Ontario will undertake a full analysis on this topic. The effectiveness of increasing the intensity of rehabilitation following stroke on key outcomes, including changes in functional status, the impact on hospital length of stay, the rate of discharge to home or other living settings, and the hospital readmission rate, will be analyzed in greater detail. Indexing Status Subject indexing assigned by CRD MeSH Humans; Recovery of Function; Rehabilitation; Stroke Language Published English Country of organisation Canada English summary An English language summary is available. Address for correspondence Evidence Development and Standards, Health Quality Ontario, 130 Bloor Street West, 10th floor, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5S 1N5 Email: EDSinfo@hqontario.ca AccessionNumber 32014001038 Date abstract record published 09/09/2014 |