Prediction of Locomotion Function at One Month after Stroke

The purpose of this study was to know whether we could predict the prognosis of locomotion function of a patient by using age, sex, and clinical findings on admission. Demographic, anamnestic, and clinical data were collected on 487 consecutive patients (mean age ± SD, 64.4 ± 13.1 years) with unilateral supratentorial infarction admitted to the Department of Neurology, Kitasato University Hospital. Functional prognosis was assessed at one month after admission. The outcome state was graded by 5 stages: normal, walk alone, walk with aids, wheelchair, and bedridden. The following predictors of the prognosis were tested by means of multiple regression analysis: age, sex, stroke type, size and side of brain lesion, level of consciousness, severity of paresis on admission. The analysis revealed that the prognosis depended on age, level of consciousness, size of brain lesion and severity of paresis. On the other hand, the prognosis did not depend on sex, and side of the lesion. Multiple correlation coefficient between observed and predicted outcome of the patients was 0.64. The results of this study will make it possible for physicians and therapists to better predict locomotion function during the acute stage.