Purpose: To document the course of recovery in a group of first stroke patients, with stroke of moderate severity, over a 1-year period. Evaluation of recovery is important for estimating rehabilitation needs.
Method: One-year observational study of 23 acute first stroke patients. Recovery was assessed at 15 specific intervals using measures of impairment, activity, social participation and quality of life.
Results: There were significant changes in impairment (p < 0.05) and motor disability over 1 year (F ratio = 75.627, d.f. = 4, p < or = 0.0001) including the period between 6 and 12 months though recovery did appear to slow down after a 9-week 'turning point'. Significant improvements in social participation were also seen between 6 and 12 months (p = 0.0021). Quality of life did not change and patients' quality of life scores indicated levels of 'severe distress' at 6 (57.8 [8.8]) and 12 months (58.9 [8.6]).
Conclusions: Recovery after stroke was detectable beyond 6 months using detailed measures. This demonstration of late recovery has therapeutic implications. An increased understanding of the course of recovery following stroke could provide a basis for evaluating the varied aspects of therapeutic intervention in stroke rehabilitation.