[Effect of rehabilitation on functionality/quality of life in stroke due to COVID-19].

Background: COVID-19 can present neurological complications of the central nervous system. Ischemic-type strokes have been reported in this population. Neurological rehabilitation participates in the functional recovery and improvement of the quality of life of these patients.

Objective: To measure the functionality and quality of life of patients with ischemic stroke due to COVID-19.

Material and methods: An observational, prospective and longitudinal study of patients with ischemic stroke admitted to a neurological rehabilitation program was carried out. The Barthel index, the modified Rankin Scale and the SF-12 were used to monitor functionality and quality of life. To compare the proportions of patients with functional independence, the McNemar test was used; for SF-12 scores, Student's t test was used for related data or Wilcoxon test, depending on their normality. A p < 0.05 was significant.

Results: 21 patients were included; mean age was 53.57 ± 12.2 years; they were predominantly male (66.7%). The percentage of patients with higher degrees of independence in daily and functional life increased, both in the Barthel index (p < 0.01) and in the modified Rankin scale (p < 0.01) at the third month of follow-up. There was an improvement in the quality of life in its physical component (p = 0.02), as well as in the dimensions of general health (p = 0.01) and mental health (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: Patients with stroke due to COVID-19 admitted to the neurological rehabilitation program presented improvement in functional independence and increased their quality of life in their physical component at 3-month follow-up.