Stroke Rehabilitation—Is Age a Determinant?†

Abstract

A retrospective survey was made of the average improvement, length of stay, and discharge placement of 180 stroke patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital. The patients were divided into four age groups: under 55, 55–65, 66–75, and over 75. A grading system was used for evaluating the patient's ability in ambulation and self-care. No significant differences were found among the four age groups. The patients were then divided into subgroups depending upon the admission functional score: 0–20, 21–40, 41–60, and over 60. In the subgroups, no statistically significant differences were apparent for the average improvement of patients under age 55 as compared to those over 75, except for those whose initial functional score was 21–40. In this subgroup, the average improvement for patients under age 55 was 26.4 points with a length of stay of 31.9 days, whereas for those over age 75 the average improvement was 15.5 points with a length of stay of 25.9 days. Thus, age per se did not seem to be a determinant factor in successful rehabilitation; rather, the poor showing of the oldest group for the 21–40 score in the sub-set may have been due to premature discharge.