Recovery after stroke: a 1-year profile

Purpose. To document the course of recovery in a group of first stroke patients, with stroke of moderate severity, over a 1-year period. Evaluation of recovery is important for estimating rehabilitation needs Method. One-year observational study of 23 acute first stroke patients. Recovery was assessed at 15 specific intervals using measures of impairment, activity, social participation and quality of life Results. There were significant changes in impairment (p < 0.05) and motor disability over 1 year (P ratio = 75.627, d.f. = 4, p <= 0.0001) including the period between 6 and 12 months though recovery did appear to slow down after a 9-week 'turning point'. Significant improvements in social participation were also seen between 6 and 12 months (p = 0.0021). Quality of life did not change and patients' quality of life scores indicated levels of 'severe distress' at 6 (57.8 [8.8]) and 12 months (58.9 [8.6]). Conclusions. Recovery after stroke was detectable beyond 6 months using detailed measures. This demonstration of late recovery has therapeutic implications. An increased understanding of the course of recovery following stroke could provide a basis for evaluating the varied aspects of therapeutic intervention in stroke rehabilitation.