O USO DE DISPOSITIVOS AUXILIARES PARA A MOBILIDADE E A INDEPENDÊNCIA FUNCIONAL EM SUJEITOS COM ACIDENTE VASCULAR CEREBRAL

Abstract

Introduction: Post-stroke limitations may cause problems and lead to dependency in daily activities, which requires the use of mobility assistive devices. Objective: Identify the level of functional independence and the use of mobility assistive devices among men as well as to check the relationship between these variables. Method: It is a descriptive, correlational research using convenience sampling carried at medical centers specialized in physical rehabilitation in a medium size town of São Paulo state. Then, a Data Form of the patient with stroke and the Functional Independence Measure were used. The data were sent to a simple descriptive analysis and biserial test. Results: It showed predominance of stroke subjects dependent for the activities of daily life (63%), and those using mobility assistive devices (66.6%). The devices were wheelchairs (10), shower chairs (9), and canes (7). Moderate positive correlations between the use of mobility device and the motor functional independence (p<0.05 and r=0.617), and the total functional independence (p<0.05 and r=0.590) was also identified. Conclusion: Data demonstrate the possible impact in preventing mobility during daily activities, in particular motor activities among stroke subjects. That increases the need of occupational therapy interventions aiming at the mobility improvement among these subjects.