Functional status and satisfaction with community participation in persons with stroke following medical rehabilitation

Background and aims: Researchers and policy-makers have recognized that quality of life assessments are essential to better understand the benefits of rehabilitation intervention. The purpose of the study was to examine associations between functional status and satisfaction with community participation for persons with stroke at 80-180 days after discharge from medical rehabilitation. Methods: The study was retrospective, using data from the Information Technology (IT) Health-Track database for patients discharged from medical rehabilitation facilities in 2001/2002. The study population included 1870 persons with stroke aged 40 or older who had complete information at admission and follow-up (mean age at admission 68.3 yr, SD 14.5). The sample was 49.3% female and 72.6% were non-Hispanic white. Results: Results showed a significant positive association between change in functional status (admission to follow-up) and satisfaction with community participation. Positive change ratings in functional status were associated with increased satisfaction with community participation (b=0.02, SE=0.001, p=0.0001), after adjustment for age, gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, insurance source and functional status score at admission. Similarly, positive associations were observed for changes in motor and cognitive subscale ratings and satisfaction with community participation. The strongest association among six functional status domains and satisfaction with community participation was for communication (β=0.60) and social cognition (β=0.58). Conclusions: This study showed a statistically significant association between a modifiable factor (functional status) and a quality of life indicator (satisfaction with community participation). Results add to emerging literature on patient-centered outcomes and extend measures of recovery beyond functional status to include consumer satisfaction with a community outcome.