Effects of Early Mobilization on Complications of Immobility and Functional Prognosis in Patients with Moderate-to-severe Stroke：A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: Early mobilization is associated with improved mortality rates and is therefore actively implemented in recent years even for patients with severe stroke. Although previous studies reported the effects of early mobilization with stroke, few have fully considered background factors such as severity of stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of early mobilization (within 48 hours) on complications of immobility and the functional prognosis in patients with moderate-to-severe stroke.

Methods: The study included 83 patients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic). Patients were categorized into those who underwent early mobilization and those who underwent mobilization after 48 hours. We retrospectively investigated the effects of early mobilization on complications of immobility (pneumonia, urinary tract infection, deep-vein thrombosis, pressure sores, and pulmonary embolism) and functional prognosis (modified Rankin scale at discharge or moving on to convalescent rehabilitation).

Results: The incidence of pneumonia and the percentage of patients with a modified Rankin scale score at discharge was significantly lower in the early mobilization than in the late mobilization group (mobilization after 48 hours)(p<0.01).

Conclusion: Early mobilization was of significance for preventing complications associated with immobility, especially pneumonia, and for improvement in functional prognosis.