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We aimed to investigate whether combination assessment of phase angle (PhA) and skeletal muscle index (SMI), was a possible predictor of physical function at discharge from the hospital in patients with acute stroke. In this retrospective cohort study that was conducted from May 2020 and July 2021, we determined PhA and SMI using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in patients with acute stroke. Patients were classified as normal, low PhA + SMI group, pre-sarcopenia (low SMI only), and dynapenia (low PhA only) using cut-off points (men: SMI < 7.0 kg/m2, PhA < 4.05 degrees; women: SMI < 5.7 kg/m2, PhA < 3.55 degrees). The main outcome was physical function based on functional independence measure motor (FIM-motor) score at discharge. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the association between low PhA + SMI and FIM-motor score. We included 244 patients (161 men; mean age, 73.9 years). low PhA + SMI was found in 21 (8.6%) patients. Multiple regression analysis showed that low PhA + SMI was independently associated with the FIM-motor score at discharge (β= −0.099, 95%CI: −0.193,−0.005, p = 0.039). The PhA cutoff values for determining good functional results using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were 5.36 for men (sensitivity = 0.769, specificity = 0.586, area under the curve [AUC] = 0.682), and 3.85 for women (sensitivity = It was 0.881, specificity = 0.481, AUC). Further, pearson correlation coefficient showed that PhA was significantly related to FIM-motor score in patients with mild or moderately severe stroke (mild: r = 0.472, p < 0.001; moderate: r = 0.524, p < 0.001). Combination of low PhA and SMI values at baseline, was an independent predictor of physical function at discharge in patients with acute stroke. The findings highlighted the importance of measuring PhA and SMI using BIA in patients with acute stroke.

Background There is strong public support for acute hospital services to move to genuine 7-day models, including access to multidisciplinary team assessment. This study aimed to identify factors that might enable an effective and cost-effective weekend allied health services on acute hospital wards. Methods This qualitative study included 22 focus groups within acute wards with a weekend allied health service and 11 telephone interviews with weekend service providers. Data were collected from 210 hospital team members, including 17 medical, 97 nursing, and 96 allied health professionals from two Australian tertiary public hospitals. All were recorded and imported into nVivo 10 for analysis. Thematic analysis methods were used to develop a coding framework from the data and to identify emerging themes. Results Key themes identified were separated into issues perceived as being enablers or barriers to the effective or cost-effective delivery of weekend allied health services. Perceived enablers of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness included prioritizing interventions that prevent decline, the right person delivering the right service, improved access to the patient’s family, and ability to impact patient flow. Perceived barriers were employment of inexperienced weekend staff, insufficient investment to see tangible benefit, inefficiencies related to double-handling, unnecessary interventions and/or inappropriate referrals, and difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled staff. Conclusions Suggestions for ensuring effective and cost effective weekend allied health care models include minimization of task duplication and targeting interventions so that the right patients receive the right interventions at the right time. Further research into the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of these services should factor in hidden costs, including those associated with managing the service.

Acute cerebral hemorrhage accounts for approximately 25% of strokes for elderly patients. Consequently, treatments to improve prognosis should be identified. The aim of the present study was to examine the clinical values of the application of clinical nursing pathway for patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage. Between January 2013 and January 2015, 92 patients diagnosed with acute intracerebral hemorrhage were enrolled in the study based on the guidelines recommended for providing appropriate surgical or conservative treatment and the sequence of admission. The 92 patients were randomly divided into the control and observation groups. Patients in the control group underwent routine nursing mode prior to and after admission, and underwent clinical nursing path model (hierarchical partitioning prior to admission to hospital plus general professional program of nursing in hospital) was applied to the observation group. Barthel index scores for the observation group were significantly higher than that of the control group. The length of hospital stay for patients in the observation group was significantly lower while the average score for patients' satisfaction on nursing care while in hospital was significantly higher than that of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The incidence of complications such as fever, infection, bedsore, gastrointestinal function, electrolyte disturbances, and malnutrition, in the observation group was significantly lower, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The functional independence measure (FIM) and Fugl-Meyer scores after 6 months for the observation group were significantly higher, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In conclusion, application of the clinical nursing pathway for patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage significantly improved the clinical effects and nursing satisfaction, reduced adverse reactions, and had a greater clinical application value.

The study objective was to examine postacute changes in bowel and bladder continence and cognition after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in persons with long-term functional recovery to full independence. This case series included nine patients initially admitted to inpatient rehabilitation (IR) with severe TBI who had returned to prior responsibilities and functional independence by 8 to 15 mo. Patients had initial Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 3 to 6, posttraumatic amnesia durations of 18 to 70 d, time-to-follow-commands of 16 to 56 d, initial abnormal brain computed tomography scans, and initial pupil abnormalities. IR Functional Independence Measure (FIM) cognitive and sphincter score improvements were compared with national TBI FIM data from Uniform Data Systems for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR) for 2010 (n = 16,368). All patients had IR improvements in cognitive and sphincter FIM scores approximately twice the national UDSMR data for 2010. All patients had combined IR discharge sphincter FIM scores that were 12 or greater, indicating independence to modified independence with bowel and bladder function with no incontinence. Five participants (55%) were admitted to IR with sphincter FIM scores of 11 to 12, indicating recovery of continence during acute care. These findings suggest potential usefulness of IR cognitive FIM score changes and of the recovery of bowel and bladder continence for predicting favorable functional outcomes following severe TBI.

Background and Objectives: Although appropriate nutrition management could improve rehabilitation outcomes, more than 40% of patients in a convalescent rehabilitation ward (CRW) suffer from malnutrition. The study was undertaken to investigate whether adequate nutrition for each patient in a CRW could be estimated based on motor scores on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-M). Methods and Study Design: In 218 patients in our CRW, both basal energy expenditure (BEE) on admission and average energy intake (EI) for 2 weeks were calculated, and EI was divided by BEE to estimate the activity index (e-AI). The patients were classified according to FIM-M to investigate the relationship between the FIM-M and the e-AI. Results: The e-AI tended to increase in proportion to the FIM-M. In the N group, where the increase-decrease rate for body weight was within 2%, the e-AI induced by a FIM-M greater than 60 was significantly higher than that induced by a FIM-M up to 60 (1.3 vs 1.1, p<0.01). Compared to the N group, altering the e-AI caused the same tendency of body weight change in patients with FIM-M greater than 60 and up to 60. Conclusions: The FIM-M could provide a criterial activity index for patients in a CRW when their energy requirement is appropriately estimated, considering the intensity of their physical activity.

Objectives: To examine functional outcomes from a rehabilitation programme and to compare two methods for evaluating cost efficiency of rehabilitation in patients with severe complex disability. Subjects and setting: Two hundred and ninety seven consecutive admissions to a specialist inpatient rehabilitation unit following severe acquired brain injury. Methods: Retrospective analysis of routinely collected data, including the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Barthel Index, and Northwick Park Dependency Score and Care Needs Assessment (NPDS/NPCNA), which provides a generic estimation of dependency, care hours. and weekly cost of continuing care in the community. Patients were analysed in three groups according to dependency on admission: “low” (NPDS<10 (n = 83)); “medium” (NPDS10–24 (n = 112)); “high” (NPDS >24 (n = 102)). Results: Mean length of stay (LOS) 112 (SD 66) days. All groups showed significant reduction in dependency between admission and discharge on all measures (paired t tests: p<0.001). Mean reduction in “weekly cost of care” was greatest in the high dependency group at £639 per week (95% CI 488 to 789)), as compared with the medium (£323/week (95% CI 217 to 428)), and low (£111/week (95% CI 42 to 179)) dependency groups. Despite their longer LOS, time taken to offset the initial cost of rehabilitation was only 16.3 months in the high dependency group, compared with 21.5 months (medium dependency) and 38.8 months (low dependency). FIM efficiency (FIM gain/LOS) appeared greatest in the medium dependency group (0.25), compared with the low (0.17) and high (0.16) dependency groups. Conclusions: The NPDS/NPCNA detected changes in dependency potentially associated with substantial savings in the cost of ongoing care, especially in high dependency patients. Floor effects in responsiveness of the FIM may lead to underestimation of efficiency of rehabilitation in higher dependency patients.

Objective: To compile a minimum data set for the follow-up of traumatic brain injury patients from discharge from hospital to one year post injury to assess functioning and participation in the physical, cognitive and psychosocial domains, and in quality of life. Design: Repeated questionnaire interviews by two observers to establish interobserver reliability of the measurement instruments at discharge and at one year post injury, as well as their sensitivity to change over time in traumatic brain injury patients. Setting: Department of neurosurgery of an academic hospital, department of a rehabilitation centre, and at the patients' homes in the Netherlands. Subjects: The study at discharge included 25 patients aged 18-50 years with a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score 3-14), whereas the one year post injury study included 14 patients aged 19-51 years. Main (outcome) measures: Physical domain: Barthel Index (BI), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), GOS Extended (GOSE). Cognitive domain: Disability Rating Scale (DRS), Functional Assessment Measurement (FAM), Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale (LCFS), Neurobehavioural Rating Scale (NRS). Psychosocial domain: Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ), Employability Rating Scale (ERS), Frenchay Activity Index (FAI), Multi Health Locus of Control (MHLC), Rehabilitation Activities Profile (RAP), Social Support List (SSL), Supervision Rating Scale (SRS), Wimbledon Self Reporting Rating Scale (WSRS). Quality of life: Coop/Wonca Charts (Coop), Rand SF-36 (Rand-36), Sickness Impact Profile-68 (SIP-68). Results: At both discharge and at one year post injury, in the physical domainthe FIM showed excellent squared weighted kappa (SWK ranging from 0.75 to 0.80), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC ranging from 0.75 to 0.92), and a relatively small standard error of measurement (SEM 3.22) and smallest detectable difference (SDD 8.92). In the cognitive domain the FAM and the NRS showed excellent SWK, and ICC, and a relatively small SEM and SDD. In the psychosocial domainthe FAI showed excellent SWK (0.89), and ICC (0.87), and a relatively small SEM (2.64) and SDD (7.31). For quality of life, at both discharge and at one year post injury the SIP-68 and the Coop showed excellent SWK (0.87), and ICC (0.89), and a relatively small SEM (3.79) and SDD (10.51). At both time points SWK and ICC ranged from 0.80 to 0.89, SEM ranged from 1.47 to 1.98, and the SDD was 4.07. Conclusions: An example of a reliable minimum data set that is also able to detect changes over time is: the FIM, the FAM and the Coop for the early stages in recovery, extended with the NRS, the FAI, and the SIP-68 later in recovery, thereby covering all relevant domains after traumatic brain injury.

Background The rate of blunt vertebral artery (BVI) has increased in institutions using aggressive screening protocols. It is unclear whether earlier diagnosis and therapy have improved outcomes. Our goal was to estimate the national incidence of BVI and BVI-related stroke (BVI-S), and report on the functional outcome of patients with this diagnosis. Methods The annual rates of BVI and BVI-S were estimated by using the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB ® ) from 2001 to 2005. The functional outcome was evaluated by the modified functional independence measure (FIM) score (range, 3–12). Results A total of 574 patients with BVI were identified among the 761,385 blunt trauma admissions (0.075% overall incidence). BVI-S was diagnosed in 12% of patients with BVI and no associated blunt carotid injury. The FIM on discharge was 9.62 ± 2.78 (range, 3–12), and 49% of the patients showed complete functional independence. Overall mortality was 8%. The annual incidence showed a steady increase from 0.053% in 2001 to 0.1% in 2005 ( p  < 0.001). No difference in annual BVI-S and complete functional independence was observed. Conclusions As a result of increased awareness, the nation-wide rate of detection of BVI has doubled in recent years. However, BVI-S rates and functional outcome have not improved, raising questions about the available treatment protocols.

Background: Home based medical care is a popular alternative to standard hospital care but there is uncertainty about its cost-effectiveness. Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and the costs of multidisciplinary home based care in multiple sclerosis with hospital care in a prospective randomised controlled trial with a one year follow up. Methods: 201 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis were studied. They were randomised in a ratio 2:1 to an intervention group (133) or a control group (68). They were assessed at baseline and one year after randomisation with validated measures of physical and psychological impairment and quality of life (SF-36 health survey). The costs to the National Health Service over the one year follow up were calculated by a cost minimisation analysis. Results: There were no differences in functional status between the home based care group and the hospital group. There was a significant difference between the two groups favouring home based management in four SF-36 health dimensions—general health, bodily pain, role-emotional, and social functioning (all p ≤ 0.001). The cost of home based care was slightly less (822 euros/patient/year) than hospital care, mainly as a result of a reduction in hospital admissions. Conclusions: Comprehensive planning of home based intervention implemented by an interdisciplinary team and designed specifically for people with multiple sclerosis may provide a cost-effective approach to management and improve the quality of life.

An understandable measure to describe disabilities after stroke is important for clinical practice; practitioners often use multiple measures that contain different scoring systems and scales to rate activities of daily living (ADL) independence. We compared the construct of independence in five measures used with stroke survivors. The measures evaluated independence of the stroke survivors somewhat differently. The Rasch analysis Partial Credit Model converted items from these measures to a single metric, yielding an item difficulty hierarchy of all items from the measures. Data from the measures should be interpreted carefully because other concepts or constructs in addition to ADL independence are included in some of the measures. Rasch diagnostics regarding construct validity and reliability of the combined measures also indicated that these measures are not interchangeable. Although the items of the combined ADL measures were unidimensional, they measured independence from multiple perspectives, and the scale of the combined measures was not linear.