An observational study on usual physiotherapy care in a stroke rehabilitation unit for patients with mobility deficits

Abstract

Aim: To document the range of physiotherapy interventions undertaken by stroke patients with mobility deficits during ‘usual care’ in inpatient rehabilitation.Methods: Twenty consecutively admitted adults were approached to participate if they met the inclusion criteria: diagnosis of first stroke with leg weakness; functional ambulation category score ≥3; able to mobilise ≥14 metres on level ground; and able to provide consent. All individual physiotherapy sessions for each participant were observed for one day. The duration of each therapy session was recorded, as well as the duration and type of specific physiotherapy interventions.Findings: Twenty participants (12 males, 8 females; mean±S..