Ideal timing to transfer from an acute care hospital to an interdisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation program following a stroke: an exploratory study
2006

Timing for Stroke Rehabilitation Transfer

Sample size: 120 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Dany Gagnon, Sylvie Nadeau, Vincent Tam

Primary Institution: École de réadaptation, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal

Hypothesis

What is the ideal timing to transfer patients from acute care to rehabilitation after a stroke?

Conclusion

The timing of transfer from acute care to rehabilitation does not significantly affect stroke rehabilitation outcomes.

Supporting Evidence

  • Patients were categorized into short, moderate, and long onset-admission intervals.
  • Rehabilitation outcomes were comparable across all timing groups.
  • Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in functional improvement based on timing.

Takeaway

This study found that it doesn't really matter when stroke patients are moved to rehab; they can get better no matter when they start.

Methodology

Retrospective study analyzing 418 patients with stroke, categorized into three groups based on timing of rehabilitation transfer.

Potential Biases

Potential biases due to the retrospective nature and possible ceiling effects of the FIM measurement.

Limitations

The study's retrospective design and modest sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

Patients included were primarily stroke survivors, with a mean age of 71.31 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

P = 0.096

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-6-151

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