Abstract

Background. Measurement of patients’ functional capacity is an important part of rehabilitation. The FIM (Functional Independence Measure) questionnaire is a widely used instrument for this purpose worldwide.

Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the practical use of the FIM questionnaire in Keila Rehabilitation Centre within team-based evaluation of the patients` functional status and its dynamics during rehabilitation.

Methodology and results. The study included primary and secondar y ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke patients who were referred to Keila Rehabilitation Centre for rehabilitation between 4.10.11 and 10.04.12. Altogether 112 patients were assessed. Their mean age was 71.3 years. The average length of hospital stay was 18 days. The average FIM score was 71.8 points on arrival and 83.1 points on discharge from hospital. Improvement over the period of treatment was 11.3 points, or 15.8%. The greatest functional improvement was observed in patients with a FIM arrival score of 37-90 (moderate disability).

Conclusion. In our study the patients the average FIM scores upon arrival for treatment were comparable to those of similar studies conducted in other countries. The smaller change in FIM scores during the rehabilitation period for our study patients is due to the shorter length of hospital stay and the patients` higher age compared with other national surveys, as well as to the fact that the study was not differentiated regarding primary and recurrent strokes. The biggest change in the functional status was achieved for patients with moderate dysfunction upon arrival (FIM score 37–90 points). The length of the rehabilitation period should be assessed according to functional impairment.