Classification of Stroke Rehabilitation Patients with a Simple Impairment Scale

Abstract

Effective and efficient conduction of stroke rehabilitation depends on the ability to predict outcome. Complicated impairment and disability scales enable such a predic tion but are difficult to implement, particularly at acute care facilities, where such pre dictions should be performed. We evaluated the use of a relatively simple, previously reported impairment classification on a general unselected stroke rehabilitation pa tient population. This classification is based on the presence on examination of motor, somatosensory, and visual field deficits. We found that it was able to predict functional level on admission and on discharge, length of stay in hospital, and discharge desti nation. This impairment classification scale may be used to improve the organization of inpatient stroke rehabilitation. © 1997, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.