Longitudinal Changes in Functional Independence Measure Motor Subscores of Patients with Stroke Discharged to Home from a Convalescence Rehabilitation Ward

Abstract

[Purpose] The longitudinal changes in motor subscale scores of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) of stroke patients discharged to home from a convalescence rehabilitation ward (CRW) were investigated. [Participants and Methods] Forty-one stroke patients who received home-based rehabilitation (HBR) immediately after discharge from CRW were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. The 13 motor subscale scores of FIM were assessed at the time of discharge from CRW, a few days after discharge, and three months after discharge, and together with the sum of motor scores were compared among the three times. [Results] A few days after discharge from CRW, sphincter control (bowel management) had improved, while the locomotion (walking) score had decreased. Three months after CRW discharge, scores of the self-care subscales (eating, bathing, dressing-lower, and toileting), transfer subscales (bed, toilet, and tub), and locomotion scale (stairs) had improved. On the other hand, scores of grooming, dressing-upper, and the locomotion subscales had not changed. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that each motor subscale of FIM shows a distinct change during the course of community living after discharge from CRW.