Background:  Rehabilitation enhances neurological recovery in stroke and improves the functional status. It is vital in the treatment of stroke. The quality of life depends on various physical, mental and psycho social factors and functional independence. Quality of life in a stroke survivor is a measure of success of rehabilitation. There are very few studies associating initiation of rehabilitation and quality of life in post stroke patients.

Objectives: The study aims to assess the difference in quality of life in stroke subjects who received early rehabilitation and in those who did not. This study also evaluates the association of demographic and physical variables with early rehabilitation in a stroke survivor. 

Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in the outpatient clinic of Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Government Medical College Kottayam among the post stroke patients 3-6 months after the first episode of stroke. Data was collected from the patients through questionnaire to assess the socio-demographic variables and stroke specific quality of life (SSQOL).

Results: Of the 200 subjects recruited for the study, 141 received early rehabilitation and their mean total SSQOL score was182.82 while the mean score for the  group which did not receive early rehabilitation was 159.29, which was statistically significant (p<0.05).  The mean age in the group who received early rehabilitation was less than the other, which was statistically significant. The other demographic variables did not show significant association with early rehabilitation. Pain and independence in gait showed significant association with early rehabilitation.

Conclusion: Subjects who received early rehabilitation after stroke had better quality of life than those who did not. Moreover those who had early rehabilitation were more independent in gait and had better perception of pain compared to others.  The study calls for the initiation of rehabilitation early in the stroke treatment pathway.

Keywords: Stroke, Early rehabilitation, Quality of life.   

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Dr PC Muralidharan

Asst Professor, Dept of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Govt Medical College, Kottayam