Relationship between psychophysiological factors and prognosis for activities of daily living in patients with stroke in a recovery rehabilitation unit: a preliminary study

[Purpose] The objective of the present study was to examine the factors, including physical and mental functions, that are associated with the prognosis for activities of daily living in patients with stroke in a recovery rehabilitation unit. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 13 patients with stroke who were admitted to the recovery rehabilitation unit of Tokai Memorial Hospital between March and October 2014 and followed up for 2 months. Their physical and mental functions were evaluated at the time of admission and the relationship between these functions and activities of daily living was assessed 2 months later. [Results] The activities of daily living at 2 months after admission showed a significant correlation not only with the severity of motor paralysis (R=−0.80) but mental function (R=−0.69) at the time of admission. No significant correlation was noted between the severity of motor paralysis and the mental function. [Conclusion] It is important to evaluate both mental function and severity of motor paralysis immediately after patients’ admission to the recovery rehabilitation unit. Mental health intervention should be considered in the future to effectively improve subsequent activities of daily living.