Abstract

Background. Cerebral stroke is defined by the WHO as sudden onset of rapidly developing clinical signs of focal disturbance of cerebral function, with symptoms lasting longer then 24h, or leading to death, caused by changes in the arterial or vascular system of the brain. The aim of this study was to assess the effect to early rehabilitation on the locomotor function in stroke patients. Material and method. A group of 30 patients with hemiparesis within 24h after the onset of stroke and after 14 days of rehabilitation. The locomotor assessment was carried out according to the PNF functional status of muscles and gait patterns. Activities of daily living were evaluated according to the Repty Functional Index (RFI) and the Simple Chart of Locomotor Activities (PKCM). The level of disability was graded to the Rankin scale. For logistic reasons, the study did not include a control group, so that the paper is treated as a preliminary report.Results. Locomotor improvement was achieved in 40% of patients, with reduction in disability in 50%. Improved locomotor function led to urinary function improvement in 50% of patients. Motor dysfunction of the upper limb was reduced thanks to physiotherapy in 40% of patients. Conclusions. Early rehabilitation leads to improved function as defined by the functional status of muscles and hait patterns. The adopted rehabilitation programme resulted in improved functional indepedence evaluated on the basis of the Repty Functional Index (WFR) and Simple Chart of Activities (PKCM). The locomotor improvement resulted in urinary improvement in 50% of patients. Early rehabilitation improved the locomotor function of the paretic upper limb. The conclusions need to be verified in further studies with control groups.

Key words:

cerebral stroke, hemiparesis, early rehabilitation, functional status