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Abstract
Objective: To determine the duration and pattern of carry-over of benefits gained after a short period of multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation.
Background: Few studies have evaluated the outcome of rehabilitation after discharge. Long-term follow-up is required to establish whether gains made during the inpatient stay are sustained over time and in the patient’s own environment.
Methods: Prospective single-group longitudinal study. Fifty consecutive patients with progressive MS undergoing inpatient rehabilitation were followed for 12 months after discharge. Assessments were undertaken on admission (A), at discharge, and subsequently at 3-month intervals for 1 year (1Y) with a battery of measures addressing neurologic status, disability, handicap, quality of life, and emotional well-being. The time taken to return to baseline level was calculated using summary measures, and trends in performance levels were plotted.
Results: Twelve-month data were collected for 92% of patients. Although neurologic status declined (median Expanded Disability Status Scale scores: A = 6.8, 1Y = 8.0), improvements were maintained in disability and handicap for 6 months, emotional well-being for 7 months, and health-related quality of life (physical component) for 10 months.
Conclusions: The benefits gained from rehabilitation were partly maintained after discharge despite worsening neurologic status. Carry-over of benefits, however, declined over time, reinforcing the need for continuity of care between the inpatient setting and the community.
- Received February 9, 1998.
- Accepted June 25, 1998.
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