Optimizing the Efficacy of a Rehabilitation Program for Neurological Critical Patients.

Background and purpose: Existing rehabilitation programs for neurological critical patients are based on early mobilization or exercise. However, whether there is an optimal rehabilitation program in terms of its rehabilitation efficacy needs further exploration.

Methods: An optimal rehabilitation program for neurological critical patients was developed in July 2020 and evaluated in December 2020. Retrospective data on the duration of the rehabilitation intervention, mortality rate, treatment adverse events (AE), and functional status were collected in the hospital electronic database from January to June 2020. The Manchester Mobility Score (MMS), UK Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle strength score, and Barthel Index for the ability to perform the activities of daily living were used to evaluate body function.

Results: The incidence of nonfatal serious AEs was significantly lower in patients treated with the optimized rehabilitation program (1.71% vs. 3.41%), while the rehabilitation time was significantly shorter (23.17±6.99 days vs. 26.34±6.25 days, mean±standard deviation) and there were significant improvements in activity ability (MMS: 10.88±3.31 vs. 7.89±3.31), muscle strength (MRC muscle strength score: 9.56±3.84 vs. 7.84±3.36), and activities of daily living (Barthel Index: 27.36±9.34 vs. 19.47±6.25). Importantly, the nutritional status of the patients was also significantly improved by the optimal program.

Conclusions: The optimized rehabilitation program was superior to the nonoptimized program in decreasing AEs and improving the activity ability, muscle strength, and ability to perform the activities of daily living.