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Background Post-traumatic wrist osteoarthritis (OA) may eventually lead to pain, muscular weakness, and stiffness of the wrist, which can affect the function of the entire upper limb and cause reduced quality of life. Although there is strong evidence that all patients with OA should be offered adequate education and exercises as a first-line treatment, an effective self-management program, including structured education and therapeutic exercises, has not yet been introduced for individuals with wrist OA. The purpose of this study is to describe a self-managed exercise therapy program with joint protective strategies to improve neuromuscular control and to investigate if this exercise therapy program is more effective in reducing pain and improving function, compared to a training program with range of motion exercises, for individuals with wrist OA. Methods This is a study protocol that describes a single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) in patients with symptomatic and radiographically confirmed wrist OA with two treatment arms. The participants will randomly be assigned either to a neuromuscular exercise therapy program or to a training program with range of motion exercises only. Participants in both groups will receive a wrist orthosis and structured education on wrist anatomy, pathophysiology, and joint protective self-management strategies. The programs consist of home exercises that will be performed twice a day for 12 weeks. The Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) is the primary outcome measure of pain and function. Wrist Range of Motion (ROM), grip strength, the Numeric Pain Rating scale (NPRS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Global Rating of Change (GROC) and conversion to surgery are the secondary measures of outcome. Assessments will be performed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline by a blinded assessor. Discussion The results from this study can add new knowledge about the effectiveness of a self-managed exercise therapy program on pain and function for individuals with wrist OA. If this self-management program proves to be efficient, it can redefine current treatment strategies and may be implemented in wrist OA treatment protocols. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05367817. Retrospectively registered on 27 April 2022. https://clinicaltrials.gov.

A significant number of individuals experience post-COVID-19 symptoms, but knowledge of perceived consequences and life satisfaction is lacking. Here, we investigate perceived consequences regarding everyday life, health, physical activity and work post-COVID-19 and factors associated with low life satisfaction. A total of 766 people (mean age 48; 672 women) experiencing post-COVID-19 symptoms at least two months after infection (mean 13 months) responded to an online survey. A majority (≥77%) perceived physical fatigue, mental fatigue, dizziness, reduced work ability, low life satisfaction and a reduced level of aerobic capacity. In the final logistic regression model (Nagelkerke R Square 0.296, p < 0.001), poor work ability was the most important factor for perceiving low satisfaction with life (Odds ratio 3.369, 95% CI 2.040–5.565, p < 0.001, Nagelkerke R Square 0.177). Reduced aerobic capacity, fatigue and living in a city also increased the odds of low life satisfaction. As people with post-COVID-19 report several long-term consequences, this suggests that there is a need for targeted care for this group. The results of this study can serve as guidance for healthcare authorities regarding important long-term consequences that should be considered in rehabilitation programs directed toward post-COVID-19.

A significant number of individuals experience post-COVID-19 symptoms, but knowledge of perceived consequences and life satisfaction is lacking. Here, we investigate perceived consequences regarding everyday life, health, physical activity and work post-COVID-19 and factors associated with low life satisfaction. A total of 766 people (mean age 48; 672 women) experiencing post-COVID-19 symptoms at least two months after infection (mean 13 months) responded to an online survey. A majority (≥77%) perceived physical fatigue, mental fatigue, dizziness, reduced work ability, low life satisfaction and a reduced level of aerobic capacity. In the final logistic regression model (Nagelkerke R Square 0.296

Background: The Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11), including one global item and 10 domain-specific items, is used to evaluate life satisfaction in persons with the late effects of polio (LEoPs). However, there is a lack of knowledge about its psychometric properties. Objective: To evaluate the test-retest reliability of the LiSat-11 and the associations between the global and domain-specific items in persons with LEoPs. Design: A test-retest design, where data were collected by a postal survey. Setting: University Hospital, Outpatient Clinic. Participants: A cross-sectional sample of persons (20 women and 31 men; mean age 72 years) with LEoPs. Main Outcome Measurements: LiSat-11, assessing how satisfied a person is with different aspects of life, such as life as a whole, vocation, economy, leisure, contacts with friends and acquaintances, sexual life, activities of daily living (ADLs), family life, partner relationship, somatic health, and psychological health. Methods: LiSat-11 was administered on two occasions, 2 weeks apart. The test-retest reliability was evaluated by Kappa statistics, the percent agreement (PA), and the Svensson rank-invariant method. The association between the items was evaluated with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rho). Results: The Kappa coefficients showed good to excellent agreement (0.64-0.90) and the PA ≤1 point was high (>92%) for all items. No items showed any systematic or random disagreements according to the Svensson method. All domain-specific items correlated significantly with the global item “Life as a whole” (P

To describe hand function, and investigate adherence to a rehabilitation protocol and factors associated with upper extremity disability in non-surgically treated proximal phalangeal fractures. In a prospective cohort study, 86 patients (58 women, mean age of 49 years) were assessed at cast removal and 6 weeks follow-up. Adherence was registered in a diary. Factors potentially associated with disability were assessed in a logistic regression model. At 6 weeks, the mean total active range of motion in the injured finger was 84% of the uninjured finger and median pain intensity levels were low (VAS R Square 0.46). Most patients regain early satisfactory hand function, but a quarter still perceives high upper extremity disability. Longer immobilisation time in particular and fear of movement are important factors that may negatively affect the early outcome.

The ABILHAND questionnaire is recommended to assess perceived manual ability after stroke; however, more knowledge on interpretability is needed to improve the clinical applicability.To determine clinically meaningful cutoff scores for different levels of perceived manual ability, assessed by ABILHAND, corresponding to established observed and perceived upper extremity assessments post stroke.This cross-sectional study, part of the Stroke Arm Longitudinal Study (SALGOT) at the University of Gothenburg, included 80 participants with upper extremity impairments after stroke. The self-reported upper extremity functioning was assessed with ABILHAND and Stroke Impact Scale Hand (SIS Hand), and the observed functioning was assessed by Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) at 3 months after stroke. Receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity analyses were used to determine the cutoffs.The overall discriminating accuracy was excellent (AUC0.90) for most of the cutoffs and sensitivity and specificity values ranged from 0.73 to 1.0. The ABILHAND cutoff score 1.78 discriminated well between low and good functioning resulting in a 95% match with SIS Hand and 87.5% match with ARAT and FMA-UE.The determined cutoff scores of the ABILHAND, validated through established upper extremity assessments, will provide a useful tool to clinicians when interpreting the logit scores and when selecting individualized treatment options. ABILHAND matched well with self-reported SIS Hand, but discrepancies found with observed scales implies that self-perceived assessments should be complemented with observed assessments.

INTRODUCTION Remaining disability after stroke can reduce a person's life satisfaction. Because previous studies of life satisfaction show inconsistent results, there is a need for more knowledge regarding perceived life satisfaction after stroke and associated factors. OBJECTIVE To assess perceived life satisfaction after stroke in relation to Swedish reference values; and the association with upper extremity disability, sociodemographics, and participation. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING University hospital. PARTICIPANTS Seventy-five persons (72% male) with mild to moderate disability in a stable phase after stroke. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Life satisfaction was assessed with the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11), which includes one global item Life as a whole and 10 domain-specific items. Global life satisfaction and explanatory factors were evaluated in two multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS Fifty-three percent of the participants were satisfied with Life as a whole. Highest satisfaction was found for Family life (78%) and Partner relationship (77%) and lowest satisfaction for Vocational situation (32%), Sexual life (25%), and Physical health (23%). Life as a whole and most domain-specific items showed a significantly lower proportion of satisfied persons compared to Swedish reference values. In the first regression model with factors of upper extremity disability, manual ability was the strongest explanatory variable for Life as a whole (p value = .032, Nagelkerke R Square 0.117). In the second regression model, participation, social, and working status were the final explanatory variables (p value = .006, Nagelkerke R Square = 0.207). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that persons with mild to moderate disability after stroke perceive overall less satisfaction with Life as a whole and domain-specific items than the general Swedish population. To increase a person's life satisfaction after stroke, rehabilitation interventions should target a variety of aspects including enhancing functioning of upper extremity, reducing participation restrictions, and providing support regarding social and vocational situation.

Background Recovery patterns of motor function and activity capacity of the upper extremity after stroke have been described, but less is known about longitudinal changes of perceived manual activity performance. The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal changes of self-perceived manual ability at several timepoints from onset until 12 months post-stroke in a cohort of consecutively recruited individuals with mild, moderate and severe stroke. Methods The study included 106 participants from a non-selected cohort with first-ever mild, moderate or severe stroke and impaired upper extremity function (Stroke Arm Longitudinal Study at the University of Gothenburg, SALGOT). Self-perceived manual ability was assessed with the ABILHAND Questionnaire at 3 and 10 days, 4 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months after stroke. Longitudinal change was assessed by linear mixed models (fixed and random effects) and adjusted models were built by adding effects of cofactors age, gender, stroke severity, living condition and affected hand. Results Self-perceived manual ability increased over time the first year after stroke for the total group and the subgroups. The final adjusted model for the total group included fix-effects of time (expected mean change 0.24 logits per month) adjusted by age (− 0.06 per year) and stroke severity (− 0.19 per NIHSS-score). In addition to significant effect of time, the adjusted models for moderate stroke subgroup included fixed effect of age, and for mild and severe subgroups there was an interaction effect between time and age. Further analyses between time-points showed that no significant change of self-perceived manual ability was detected beyond 3 months post-stroke. Conclusions Self-perceived manual ability increased over time the first year after stroke, and this change was to some degree modulated by age and stroke severity at onset. Most of the improvements occurred early, predominantly within the first three months after stroke.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of multiple potential sociodemographic and clinical stroke-related determinants on self-perceived manual ability in an unselected sample of individuals 12 months aft...

Background Differences in stroke care and health outcomes between men and women are debated. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between patients’ sex and post-stroke health outcomes and received care in a Swedish setting. Methods Patients with a registered diagnosis of acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) or ischemic stroke (IS) within regional administrative systems (ICD-10 codes I61* or I63*) and the Swedish Stroke Register during 2010–2011 were included and followed for 1 year. Data linkage to multiple other data sources on individual level was performed. Adjustments were performed for age, socioeconomic factors, living arrangements, ADL dependency, and stroke severity in multivariate regression analyses of health outcomes and received care. Health outcomes (e.g., survival, functioning, satisfaction) and received care measures (regional and municipal resources and processes) were studied. Results Study population: 13,775 women and 13,916 men. After case-mix adjustments for the above factors, we found women to have higher 1-year survival rates after both IS (ORfemale = 1.17, p

Background The Swedish National Healthcare Quality registry for hand surgery, called HAKIR, includes collection of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for all operations performed at the specialist departments of hand surgery. A prerequisite for PROMs is that the collection of data is based on psychometrically sound outcome instruments. This study therefore aims to evaluate content and construct validity, floor and ceiling effects, data completeness and magnitude of change over time for the eight-item HAKIR questionnaire.Methods Content validity was investigated by patients, an expert group and literature review. Construct validity was investigated through predefined hypotheses and correlation statistics between single-item questions and QuickDASH. Floor and ceiling effect and data completeness was analysed on 13197 preoperative, 10702 three months and 9986 twelve months postoperative questionnaires. Changes in scores for single-items between pre- and 3 and 12 months follow-up for elective hand-related diagnosis and between 3 and 12 months for acute injuries was quantified by effect size calculations.Results The HAKIR Questionnaire (HQ-8) included items concerning pain on load, pain on motion without load, pain at rest, stiffness, weakness, numbness, cold sensitivity and ability to perform daily activities. Correlation coefficients between single-items and total QuickDASH score at pre, 3 and 12 months follow-up ranged from 0.44-0.79. No ceiling effect but a floor effect in the total group was seen in all items at all follow-ups. Percentage of missing item responses was < 2.6% except for the cold sensitivity question. The magnitude of change for individual items varied between small to large effects size in elective hand-related diagnosis. For acute injuries a small effect size was seen between 3 and 12 months follow-up.Conclusions This study provides evidence of content and construct validity of the HQ-8 including lack of ceiling effect, expected floor effect, good data completeness and ability to detect changes in scores over time. Associations between single-items and QuickDASH indicate that HQ-8 measures unique disability aspects important in hand surgery. Further studies are needed to evaluate test-retest reliability, responsiveness including clinically important change of the HQ-8 questions in subgroups of hand-related diagnoses.

BACKGROUND: Muscle weakness is the most common impairment in the upper extremity after stroke, leading to a reduced ability to use the arm and the hand in daily activities. Grip strength is easier to measure than precise, but more time-consuming, isokinetic and isometric arm muscle strength measurements. It would therefore be advantageous in a clinical setting if grip strength could be used as a proxy for muscle strength in the entire upper extremity.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between grip strength and isometric and isokinetic arm muscle strength in persons with chronic stroke.METHODS: Forty-five persons with mild-to-moderate paresis in the upper extremity, at least 6 months post-stroke participated. Isometric grip strength was measured with a computerized grip dynamometer and arm strength (isometric shoulder abduction and elbow flexion as well as isokinetic elbow extension and flexion) with an isokinetic dynamometer. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the association between the muscle strength measurements.RESULTS: There were significant correlations (p < .0001) between grip strength and all arm strength measurements in both the more affected (r = 0.77-0.82) and the less affected upper extremity (r = 0.65-0.82).CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study showed that grip strength is strongly associated with muscle strength in the arm in persons in the chronic phase after stroke. As grip strength is easy to measure and less time-consuming than arm muscle strength measurements, this implies that grip strength can be a representative measure of muscle weakness of the entire upper extremity in the chronic phase after stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the test-retest reliability and variability of the Participation domain of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS Participation) in persons with stroke as it is widely used to assess perceived participation in rehabilitation after stroke. Design: A test-retest design. Subjects: Forty-five persons (mean age 65 years) with mild to moderate disability at least 6 months post-stroke. Methods: The SIS Participation domain was rated on 2 occasions, 1 week apart. The test-retest reliability of the total score was evaluated using Kappa statistics. The 8 item scores were evaluated by the proportion of participants who rated the same score (percentage agreement, PA) or +/- 1 point (PA 82%). No items, except 2, showed a systematic disagreement, and no items showed a random disagreement according to the Svensson method. Conclusion: The SIS Participation domain is reliable in persons with chronic stroke and mild to moderate disability and can be used to assess perceived participation in this population.

Background: Reduced dexterity is common after stroke, which can affect the ability to perform upper limb daily activities. To improve upper limb function after stroke, it is important to understand which factors are most associated with dexterity. Objective: To evaluate how several factors are associated with dexterity after stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A university hospital. Participants: A convenience sample of 75 persons (54 men and 21 women, mean age 66 years) with mild to moderate impairments of the upper limb after stroke. Methods: Dexterity and potentially associated factors (age, gender, affected hand, social situation, vocational situation, grip strength, spasticity, sensory function, and pain) were evaluated by linear regression models. Main Outcome Measurements: Dexterity was measured with the mini Sollerman Hand Function Test, sensory function with both the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (to assess light touch and proprioception) and the Shape Texture Identification Test (to assess active discriminative touch), spasticity with the Modified Ashworth Scale, and grip strength with the Grippit dynamometer. Results: Active discriminative touch had the strongest association with dexterity, explaining 46% of the variance. When spasticity and grip strength were added, the explained variance increased to 57% in the final multivariate model. Conclusions: This study indicates that sensory function in terms of active discriminative touch is a major contributing factor to dexterity in persons with mild to moderate stroke, whereas spasticity and grip strength may be of lesser importance. Level of Evidence: III.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the measurement variability of quantitative sensory testing (QST) in persons with post-stroke shoulder pain. DESIGN: A test-retest design. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three persons with post-stroke shoulder pain (median age 65 years).METHODS: Thermal detection thresholds (cold and warm), pain thresholds (cold and heat) and mechanical pain thresholds (pressure and pin prick) were assessed twice in both arms, 2–3 weeks apart. Measurement variability was analysed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2.1), the change in mean (đ) with 95% confidence interval (logarithmic scales), and the relative standard error of measurement (SEM%; re-transformed scales). RESULTS: The ICCs for thermal thresholds ranged from 0.48 to 0.89 in the affected (painful) arm and from 0.50 to 0.63 in the unaffected arm, and for mechanical pain thresholds from 0.66 to 0.90 in both arms. No systematic changes in the mean (đ) were found. The SEM% ranged from 4% to 10% for thermal detection and heat pain thresholds, and from 17% to 42% for cold pain and mechanical pain thresholds in both arms.CONCLUSION: QST measurements, especially cold pain thresholds and mechanical pain thresholds, vary in persons with post-stroke shoulder pain. Before QST can be used routinely to evaluate post-stroke shoulder pain, a test protocol with decreased variability needs to be developed (Less)

Objective: To investigate whether somatosensory impairments are more common in individuals with post-stroke shoulder pain than in those without post-stroke shoulder pain and healthy controls. Design: Descriptive analysis of a convenience sample. Participants: Forty-nine individuals with stroke, 24 with and 25 without post-stroke shoulder pain (median age 65 years), and 11 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Methods: Perception and pain thresholds for cold, warm and heat (thermal thresholds), and pain thresholds for pressure and pin prick (mechanical thresholds) were assessed using quantitative sensory testing (QST). Passive range of motion, motor function, resistance to passive movements, light touch and proprioception were assessed in the upper extremities. Shoulder pain characteristics were recorded in the post-stroke shoulder pain group. Results: There were no significant differences between the group with post-stroke shoulder pain and the group without post-stroke shoulder pain in any of the QST assessments, but more participants in the post-stroke shoulder pain group reported abnormal cold sensation in the affected side. Both stroke groups had generally higher thermal thresholds and more extreme low or high mechanical thresholds than the healthy controls. Conclusion: Somatosensory impairments are common among individuals with stroke compared with healthy controls. The non-significant differences in QST thresholds between the group with post-stroke shoulder pain and the group without post-stroke shoulder pain indicate that somatosensory impairments have only a small impact on post-stroke shoulder pain. (Less)

Background Decreased manual dexterity is common in persons after stroke. Different measures are used to assess manual dexterity, but a lack of knowledge exists about their reliability and how they are related. Objective To evaluate the test−retest reliability and convergent validity of 3 manual dexterity measures after stroke. Design A test−retest design. Setting University Hospital. Participants Forty-five persons (mean age 65 years) with mild-to-moderate impairments in the upper extremity at least 6 months after stroke. Main Outcome Measures Manual dexterity was assessed on 2 occasions, 1 week apart using the Box and Block Test (BBT), the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), and the modified Sollerman Hand Function Test (mSHFT). The reliability of the BBT and NHPT was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient together with systematic and random measurement errors. Reliability of the mSHFT was evaluated with the Kappa coefficient and the Svensson rank-invariant method (percent agreement and systematic and random disagreements). Convergent validity of the total scores was evaluated with the Spearman rank correlation coefficients (rho). Results The intraclass correlation coefficient for the BBT and the NHPT ranged from 0.83 to 0.99. Significant systematic measurement errors were found for both tests and hands. The Kappa coefficient for the total sum score of the mSHFT was 0.95 for the more affected hand and 0.59 for the less affected hand. One of the 3 items showed systematic disagreements for both hands. The convergent validity (rho) for the more affected hand ranged from 0.41 (BBT versus mSHFT) to −0.68 (NHPT versus mSHFT). Conclusion The test−retest reliability of the BBT, NHPT and mSHFT was high but all measures showed learning effects. The relationships between the 3 measures indicate that they partly complement one another. The BBT may be preferred for persons with moderate impairments of the upper extremity and the NHPT and the mSHFT for persons with milder impairments. As the mSHFT has the advantage of reflecting activities in daily life it may be a suitable alternative to the NHPT. Level of Evidence III

To evaluate the test-retest reliability of the Shape/Texture Identification test (STI-testA test-retest design.University hospital outpatient setting.Forty-five persons (mean age 65 years) with mild to moderate impairments in the arm and hand6 months post stroke.Not applicable.The STI-testThe median total score of the STI-testThe STI-test

To evaluate the test-retest reliability of isometric and isokinetic muscle strength measurements in the upper extremity after stroke.A test-retest design.Forty-five persons with mild to moderate paresis in the upper extremity 6 months post-stroke.Isometric arm strength (shoulder abduction, elbow flexion), isokinetic arm strength (elbow extension/flexion) and isometric grip strength were measured with electronic dynamometers. Reliability was evaluated with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), changes in the mean, standard error of measurements (SEM) and smallest real differences (SRD).Reliability was high (ICCs: 0.92-0.97). The absolute and relative (%) SEM ranged from 2.7 Nm (5.6%) to 3.0 Nm (9.4%) for isometric arm strength, 2.6 Nm (7.4%) to 2.9 Nm (12.6%) for isokinetic arm strength, and 22.3 N (7.6%) to 26.4 N (9.2%) for grip strength. The absolute and relative (%) SRD ranged from 7.5 Nm (15.5%) to 8.4 Nm (26.1%) for isometric arm strength, 7.1 Nm (20.6%) to 8.0 Nm (34.8%) for isokinetic arm strength, and 61.8 N (21.0%) to 73.3 N (25.6%) for grip strength.Muscle strength in the upper extremity can be reliably measured in persons with chronic stroke. Isometric measurements yield smaller measurement errors than isokinetic measurements and might be preferred, but the choice depends on the research question.

Objective: To evaluate the test-retest reliability of the Shape/Texture Identification test (STI-testTM) in persons with chronic stroke. Design: A test-retest design. Setting: University hospital outpatient setting. Participants: Forty-five persons (mean age 65 years) with mild to moderate impairments in the arm and hand > 6 months post stroke. Interventions: Not applicable. Main measure: The STI-testTM was used to assess active touch of the hand. It consists of two subtests: identification of shapes and identification of textures, each in three different sizes. Both hands were assessed twice, one week apart. The reliability of the data was evaluated with weighted Kappa statistics and the Svensson rank-invariant method (percentage agreement, systematic and random disagreements). Results: The median total score of the STI-testTM was 5 points (min-max 0-6 points) for the more affected hand and 6 points (min-max 3-6 points) for the less affected hand at both test occasions. The weighted Kappa coefficient was 0.94 for the more affected hand and 0.55 for the less affected hand. The percentage agreement for the more affected hand was 69% for the subtest shapes and 82% for the subtest textures, and for the less affected hand 62% and 91%, respectively. There were no systematic or random disagreements for any of the subtests. Conclusion: The STI-testTM is reliable to assess active touch of the hand after stroke.

Background and purposeThe objective of this study was to estimate the level of health outcomes and resource use at a hospital level during the first year after a stroke, and to identify any potential differences between hospitals after adjusting for patient characteristics (case mix).MethodData from several registries were linked on individual level: seven regional patient administrative systems, Swedish Stroke Register, Statistics Sweden, National Board of Health and Welfare and Swedish Social Insurance Agency. The study population consisted of 14 125 patients presenting with a stroke during 2010. Case-mix adjusted analysis of hospital differences was made on five aspects of health outcomes and resource use, 1 year post-stroke.ResultsThe results indicated that 26% of patients had died within a year of their stroke. Among those who survived, almost 5% had a recurrent stroke and 40% were left with a disability. On average, the patients had 22 inpatient days and 23 outpatient visits, and 13% had moved into special housing. There were significant variations between hospitals in levels of health outcomes achieved and resources used after adjusting for case mix.ConclusionDifferences in health outcomes and resource use between hospitals were substantial and not entirely explained by differences in patient mix, indicating tendencies of unequal stroke care in Sweden. Healthcare organisation of regions and other structural features could potentially explain parts of the differences identified.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were: to follow the course of recovery of motor function following acute stroke, as assessed by the Physiotherapy Clinical Outcome Variables Scale (COVS), and; to investigate the ability of this instrument to predict length of hospital stay, discharge destination and future home facility. METHODS: In this prospective longitudinal study, COVS was registered at admission and discharge from an acute stroke unit and at 3 months post-stroke onset. SUBJECTS: Sixty subjects were recruited consecutively from a sample of patients after first-ever acute stroke, and of these, 50 received follow-up assessment. OUTCOME VARIABLES: Length of hospital stay, discharge destination and home facility 3 months post-stroke. RESULTS: The overall COVS scores increased significantly during the 3-month follow-up. The admission COVS score correlated negatively with length of stay. A cut-off at 50 points and 41 points could predict discharge destination and future home facility, respectively. CONCLUSION: COVS measures improvements and can predict length of hospital stay, discharge destination and future home facility. Thus, it could be used in early prediction for effective planning of the acute stroke unit services and efficient discharge planning. (Less)

Background Despite that disability of the upper extremity is common after stroke, there is limited knowledge how it influences self-perceived ability to perform daily hand activities. The aim of this study was to describe which daily hand activities that persons with mild to moderate impairments of the upper extremity after stroke perceive difficult to perform and to evaluate how several potential factors are associated with the self-perceived performance. Methods Seventy-five persons (72 % male) with mild to moderate impairments of the upper extremity after stroke (4 to 116 months) participated. Self-perceived ability to perform daily hand activities was rated with the ABILHAND Questionnaire. The perceived ability to perform daily hand activities and the potentially associated factors (age, gender, social and vocational situation, affected hand, upper extremity pain, spasticity, grip strength, somatosensation of the hand, manual dexterity, perceived participation and life satisfaction) were evaluated by linear regression models. Results The activities that were perceived difficult or impossible for a majority of the participants were bimanual tasks that required fine manual dexterity of the more affected hand. The factor that had the strongest association with perceived ability to perform daily hand activities was dexterity (p