Ability Realization Improves during Inpatient Rehabilitation for Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate improvement in ability realization and additional long-term outcomes, during and after inpatient rehabilitation for Guillain-Barré syndrome. Design This is a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study, in which outcomes were examined using validated scales, for 47 inpatients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Results Scores improved from 65 on the American Spinal Injury Association Motor Score and 50 on the Spinal Cord Independence Measure, at admission to inpatient rehabilitation, to 81 and 80 at discharge, and to 92 and 95 at the end of 7.5 yrs, on average, at the follow-up (P = 0.001). The mean Spinal Cord Independence Measure/American Spinal Injury Association Motor Score ratio, which reflects the ability realization, increased during rehabilitation from 50/65 to 80/81 (P = 0.001), and tended to increase further at follow-up to 95/92 (P = 0.228). At follow-up, pain did not correlate, and fatigue showed a weak correlation with the American Spinal Injury Association Motor Score, Spinal Cord Independence Measure, and the Adult Subjective Assessment of Participation (r = -0.363, P = 0.012; r = -0.362, P = 0.012; r = -0.392, P = 0.006). Conclusions Ability realization improved during inpatient rehabilitation for Guillain-Barré syndrome and remained high after discharge, suggesting a likely contribution of rehabilitation to the functional outcome, beyond the contribution of neurological recovery. Despite residual fatigue and pain, there was only minor or no effect on daily function or participation.