Assessment of functional physical fitness and functional dependence after a physiotherapy program in a Medium-Term Continuing Care Unit and rehabilitation: comparison between patients with and without a diagnosis of stroke
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25758/set.783Keywords:
Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Risk factors, Frailty, Dependence, Guided clinical exerciseAbstract
Introduction – The functional physical fitness (FpF) level in patients admitted to Medium Duration and Rehabilitation Integrated Continuous Care Units (MDR-ICCU) and the functional limitations associated with these patients remain unknown. Objective – To assess the FpF of patients admitted to MDR-ICCU after completing a physiotherapy program and compare the FpF results between patients with and without a stroke diagnosis. Methods – Assessment of FpF through Senior Fitness Test Battery and with Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and handgrip strength in patients with different diagnoses at discharge, and comparing results between patients with and without a stroke diagnosis. Results – In most of the domains evaluated (strength, flexibility, body mass index (BMI), agility, and aerobic endurance), the results were below the reference values found in other studies for the Portuguese population. However, differences between groups of patients with (CAVC) and without a diagnosis of stroke (SAVC) were observed in the domains of upper limb muscle strength and BMI (p<0.005). Conclusion – It seems that patients diagnosed with stroke present a higher risk of frailty and functional decline, especially in upper limb muscle strength.
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