2022 Volume 44 Issue 6 Pages 615-624
Background and Objectives: In December 2019, we started a vocational rehabilitation program for patients with stroke who expressed an expectation to return to work (RTW). We report here the results of the program for these patients up to December 2021. Method: The program strengthens the four conditions necessary for RTW: independence in home life, walking function for commuting, general office work function, and cognitive function to process work in an accurate and timely manner. Results: Among 81 patients registered in the program, 61 patients who had completed the program at least two months previously were included in this study. The RTW rate was 85.2% in all patients: 92.3% (n=26), 77.8% (n=9), and 80.8% (n=26) in cases with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The RTW rate of 80.0% in patients with moderate stroke (mRS 3 and 4, n=35) exceeded the previously reported rate of <50%. Conclusion: Stroke patients with mRS 3 and 4, if they have a strong self-expectation to RTW, can benefit from a vocational rehabilitation program in a convalescent rehabilitation hospital that provides extensive rehabilitation for a sufficient period. We suggest that this kind of program should be incorporated into the stroke treatment system.
