Rehabilitation outcomes of stroke patients treated with multi-modal endovascular reperfusion therapy

Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of multi-modal endovascular reperfusion therapy (MMRT) on functional outcomes following rehabilitation. Methods. Data from 14 MMRT-treated patients were analyzed and compared to MMRT-ineligible, age and stroke severity-matched patients treated at the same Neurological and Rehabilitation departments. Neurological evaluation was assessed with the NIH stroke scale (NIHSS). Activity of daily living was measured using the FIM™ instrument. Functional outcome was measured using the modified Rankin scale (mRS). Results. The baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. NIHSS scores were lower in the MMRT group and they had slightly better functional and rehabilitation scores on admission to rehabilitation. At the end of rehabilitation, more MMRT-treated patients reached functional independence (mRS≤2; 50% vs. 7% respectively P0.03). FIM scores were also higher in the MMRT group (mean score 93.3 vs. 87.7, respectively) but the difference did not reach significance. The delta in FIM and NIHSS scores obtained during rehabilitation did not significantly differ between the groups. MMRT remained a significant modifier of good outcome after regression analysis (OR 21.5 95% CI 1.1-410). Conclusion. MMRT-treated patients have better chances of attaining independence after rehabilitation therapy. However, the additional improvements gained while in active rehabilitation were independent of reperfusion status.