The stroke rehabilitation outcome study--Part I: General description.

Part I describes the background of the study, the characteristics of the patient population, and their functional status before onset of stroke, at rehabilitation admission, and at discharge, and the outcomes six months after discharge. Results showed that the average age was 69; 40% had right hemiparesis, 43% left, and 17% bilateral deficits. Medical complications during rehabilitation hospitalization were more common in patients who, at follow-up, were either living in a long-term care facility or had died. Average length of medical rehabilitation stay was 37 days, with mean admission and discharge Barthel Index scores of 37 and 66, respectively. Seventy percent of patients were discharged to the community and 68% were in the community six months after discharge. Patients with higher Barthel Index scores at discharge were more likely to be living in the community at follow-up. Patients living in the community at follow-up, with higher Barthel Index scores, were more likely to be satisfied with life in general, have more person-to-person contacts, and be more active in community affairs.