PREDICTIVE VALUE OF THE INITIAL FIM SCORE IN DETERMINING REHABILITATION OUTCOMES AFTER ISCHEMIC STROKE
PREDICTIVE VALUE OF THE INITIAL FIM SCORE IN DETERMINING REHABILITATION OUTCOMES AFTER ISCHEMIC STROKE

Summary/Abstract: The primary goal of specific stroke treatment is to reduce brain damage caused by ischemia. In assessing the consequences of a stroke, we use various measuring instruments that provide us with data on the remaining functional abilities. The functional assessment enables the assessment of the patient's disability when performing specific activities, which will also enable the rehabilitation process to be directed to those activities that are most damaged and have the greatest impact on the patient's quality of life. Among the most commonly used functional questionnaires are the Barthel index, which assesses motor functioning only, and the FIM, which assesses motor and cognitive functioning. This observational, clinical study was conducted on 60 patients with stroke who were admitted for inpatient physical therapy at the Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the University Clinical Center in Sarajevo. Stroke diagnosis was previously confirmed by a neurologist based on clinical and imaging exams. On admission, each patient underwent a detailed physical examination, and the Barthel index and FIM score were calculated. After the rehabilitation, each patient was re-measured with the Barthel index and FIM score upon discharge. Statistical analysis was performed and p value of <0.05 was taken as statistical significance. Statistically significant difference in the average values of the Barthel index at admission and discharge was 2.85±2.13 (t=-10.365; df=59; p=0.001). Significant difference in FIM score at admission and discharge was 22.95±14.54 ( 12.219; df=59; p=0.001). The average improvement in functional independence (FI) was 22.95, ranging from 2 to 55. Total 17 patients had an improvement in FIM score of 1 10 points at discharge compared to admission, 8 patients had an improvement of 11 20 points, 17 had an improvement of 21 30 points, 11 had an improvement of 31 40 points, 3 of 41 50 points and 4 patients had an improvement of 51 60 points. After rehabilitation, there was a significant improvement in the functional independence of patients after stroke, as evidenced by higher values of the Barthel Index and FIM score at discharge compared to values at admission. The study confirms the importance of using standardized scales and instruments in monitoring the impact of rehabilitation procedures and further planning of patient recovery.

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