Objective: The main goal of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of post-acute care on functional improvement of daily activities (ADL) and the improvement of modified rank in scale (MRS) for stroke patients.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study employs a secondary data study design involve a total of 251 patients. The patients underwent two evaluations, hospitalization and discharge respectively.
Results: To compare the ADL and MRS among stroke patients between hospitalization and discharge, the mean difference was 25.38±19.31. The results from Independent-Sample t-test and ANOVA indicated that age and the length of stay in post-acute care were significantly related to ADL (p < 0.05). The results of logistic regression found that age (p <0.05，95% C.I= .953~1.000) and the length of stay in post-acute care (p<0.001，95% C.I=1.064~1.045) had significant prediction to ADL. Before discharge, 114 patients (45.42%) had improvement of their MRS; 137 patients (54.58%) did not improve or even worsen. Age, length of stay in post-acute care, and health-related living qualities had significant improved to MRS (p <0.01); meanwhile, age (p= .009，95% C.I= .949~.993), length of stay in post-acute care (p<0.001，95% C.I=1.010~1.035), and health-related living qualities (p<0.001，95% C.I=1.174~1.689) were also had significant prediction to MRS.
Conclusions: Stroke patients who actively engage rehabilitation could decrease the dysfunctional level. It might help patients return to workplace and decrease social burden. In Taiwan, the data only applies for stroke patients. If we could expand to other types of disorders, it would help more patients with their rehabilitation.
