Effects of early rehabilitation on ADL for elderly patients with stroke

Objective To investigate the effects of early rehabilitation on activities of daily living(ADL)for elderly patients with stroke.Methods The ADL of 46 elderly and 32 non-elderly post-stroke patients(4 weeks)were assessed and compared with modified Barthel index(MBI)at the different stages of rehabilitation.Results ①There was no significant difference in all items of ADL between two groups of the elderly on admission.The rehabilitation group of the elderly were significantly higher than those of the control group(P 0.05)in grooming and dressing 1 month after treatment,and in all items of ADL except bladder/bowel control,bathing and eating 3 months after intervention.②The rehabilitation group were significantly lower than those of the non-elderly(P 0.05)both in bladder control,moving and walking on admission,and in toilet using,walking,dressing and waking up and down steps 1 month after treatment.But there was no significant difference in all items between the two groups 3 months after intervention.Conclusions Rehabilitation training is useful for improving most of ADL in the elderly patients with stroke.