J Neurol Res

Journal of Neurology Research, ISSN 1923-2845 print, 1923-2853 online, Open Access

Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Neurol Res and Elmer Press Inc

Journal website http://www.neurores.org

Original Article

Volume 10, Number 3, June 2020, pages 80-90

The Influence of Neurological Rehabilitation on Patients’ Quality of Life After Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Study in Romania

**Table 1.** Social, Clinical and Individual Characteristics of Patients
Parameter	n (%) (N = 40)	P value
Sex		0.527
Male	22 (55%)
Female	18 (45%)
Age	70 ± 11.89 years
Age groups
< 50 years	2 (5%)
50 - 59 years	4 (10%)
60 - 69 years	10 (25%)
70 - 79 years	16 (40%)
> 80 years	8 (20%)
Environment		0.489
Rural	18 (45%)
Urban	22 (55%)
Smoking		0.752
Yes	19 (47.5%)
Alcohol		0.011
Yes	12 (30%)
Obesity		< 0.001
I	6 (15%)
II	2 (5%)
III	7 (17.5%)
Hypertension		0.001
I	4 (10%)
II	9 (22.5%)
III	21 (52.5%)
Diabetes		0.001
Yes	9 (22.5%)
Atrial fibrillation		< 0.001
Paroxysmal	7 (17.5%)
Permanent	5 (12.5%)
Hypercholesterolemia		0.011
Yes	12 (30%)
Aphasia		-
Yes	40 (100%)
Aphasia type		0.003
Expressive	30 (75%)
Receptive	10 (25%)
Level of education		0.670
Less than eight classes	16 (40%)
Romanian Baccalaureate Exam	12 (30%)
Graduate student	12 (30%)
Family support		1
Yes	20 (50%)

Table 1. Social, Clinical and Individual Characteristics of Patients

Parameter

n (%) (N = 40)

P value

Sex

0.527

Male

22 (55%)

Female

18 (45%)

Age

70 ± 11.89 years

Age groups

< 50 years

2 (5%)

50 - 59 years

4 (10%)

60 - 69 years

10 (25%)

70 - 79 years

16 (40%)

> 80 years

8 (20%)

Environment

0.489

Rural

18 (45%)

Urban

22 (55%)

Smoking

0.752

Yes

19 (47.5%)

Alcohol

0.011

Yes

12 (30%)

Obesity

< 0.001

6 (15%)

2 (5%)

III

7 (17.5%)

Hypertension

0.001

4 (10%)

9 (22.5%)

III

21 (52.5%)

Diabetes

0.001

Yes

9 (22.5%)

Atrial fibrillation

< 0.001

Paroxysmal

7 (17.5%)

Permanent

5 (12.5%)

Hypercholesterolemia

0.011

Yes

12 (30%)

Aphasia

Yes

40 (100%)

Aphasia type

0.003

Expressive

30 (75%)

Receptive

10 (25%)

Level of education

0.670

Less than eight classes

16 (40%)

Romanian Baccalaureate Exam

12 (30%)

Graduate student

12 (30%)

Family support

Yes

20 (50%)

**Table 2.** Gender Variations of SSQOL Before and After Rehabilitation
Parameter	Male group (n = 40)	Female group (n = 18)	P value
SSQOL: stroke-specific quality of life.
SSQOL total before	123.23 ± 22.48	121.56 ± 19.28	0.291
SSQOL total after 1 year	155.55 ± 31.21	152.94 ± 28.14	0.267
SSQOL energy before	7.41 ± 2.13	7.56 ± 1.75	0.231
SSQOL energy after 1 year	8.77 ± 2.13	8.67 ± 1.97	0.234
SSQOL family roles before	7.86 ± 1.93	8 ± 1.68	0.312
SSQOL family roles after 1 year	9.27 ± 2.09	9.22 ± 1.98	0.334
SSQOL language before	13.55 ± 1.47	13.44 ± 1.38	0.275
SSQOL language after 1 year	17.45 ± 2.55	16.61 ± 2.74	0.326
SSQOL mobility before	14.64 ± 1.67	14.67 ± 1.78	0.177
SSQOL mobility after 1 year	18.86 ± 3.01	18.89 ± 1.78	0.212
SSQOL mood before	14.14 ± 1.80	13.67 ± 1.45	0.382
SSQOL mood after 1 year	18.14 ± 2.62	17.89 ± 2.44	0.324
SSQOL personality before	7.59 ± 2.10	7.56 ± 1.77	0.189
SSQOL personality after 1 year	9.05 ± 2.14	8.78 ± 2.04	0.221
SSQOL self-care before	13.45 ± 1.65	13.39 ± 1.42	0.284
SSQOL self-care after 1 year	18 ± 2.94	17.61 ± 2.66	0.252
SSQOL social roles before	9.77 ± 3.72	9.50 ± 3.13	0.181
SSQOL social roles after 1 year	13.23 ± 4.51	13.28 ± 4.35	0.175
SSQOL thinking before	7.82 ± 1.84	7.67 ± 1.71	0.331
SSQOL thinking after 1 year	9.09 ± 2.26	8.83 ± 2.14	0.287
SSQOL upper motor function before	12.64 ± 2.17	12.33 ± 1.81	0.165
SSQOL upper motor function after 1 year	16.91 ± 3.17	16.83 ± 2.70	0.197
SSQOL vision before	8.23 ± 2.11	8.06 ± 1.92	0.276
SSQOL vision after 1 year	9.18 ± 2.46	9.17 ± 2.30	0.254
SSQOL work before	6.14 ± 1.88	5.72 ± 1.67	0.208
SSQOL work after 1 year	7.59 ± 2.84	7.17 ± 2.61	0.158

Table 2. Gender Variations of SSQOL Before and After Rehabilitation

Parameter

Male group (n = 40)

Female group (n = 18)

P value

SSQOL: stroke-specific quality of life.

SSQOL total before

123.23 ± 22.48

121.56 ± 19.28

0.291

SSQOL total after 1 year

155.55 ± 31.21

152.94 ± 28.14

0.267

SSQOL energy before

7.41 ± 2.13

7.56 ± 1.75

0.231

SSQOL energy after 1 year

8.77 ± 2.13

8.67 ± 1.97

0.234

SSQOL family roles before

7.86 ± 1.93

8 ± 1.68

0.312

SSQOL family roles after 1 year

9.27 ± 2.09

9.22 ± 1.98

0.334

SSQOL language before

13.55 ± 1.47

13.44 ± 1.38

0.275

SSQOL language after 1 year

17.45 ± 2.55

16.61 ± 2.74

0.326

SSQOL mobility before

14.64 ± 1.67

14.67 ± 1.78

0.177

SSQOL mobility after 1 year

18.86 ± 3.01

18.89 ± 1.78

0.212

SSQOL mood before

14.14 ± 1.80

13.67 ± 1.45

0.382

SSQOL mood after 1 year

18.14 ± 2.62

17.89 ± 2.44

0.324

SSQOL personality before

7.59 ± 2.10

7.56 ± 1.77

0.189

SSQOL personality after 1 year

9.05 ± 2.14

8.78 ± 2.04

0.221

SSQOL self-care before

13.45 ± 1.65

13.39 ± 1.42

0.284

SSQOL self-care after 1 year

18 ± 2.94

17.61 ± 2.66

0.252

SSQOL social roles before

9.77 ± 3.72

9.50 ± 3.13

0.181

SSQOL social roles after 1 year

13.23 ± 4.51

13.28 ± 4.35

0.175

SSQOL thinking before

7.82 ± 1.84

7.67 ± 1.71

0.331

SSQOL thinking after 1 year

9.09 ± 2.26

8.83 ± 2.14

0.287

SSQOL upper motor function before

12.64 ± 2.17

12.33 ± 1.81

0.165

SSQOL upper motor function after 1 year

16.91 ± 3.17

16.83 ± 2.70

0.197

SSQOL vision before

8.23 ± 2.11

8.06 ± 1.92

0.276

SSQOL vision after 1 year

9.18 ± 2.46

9.17 ± 2.30

0.254

SSQOL work before

6.14 ± 1.88

5.72 ± 1.67

0.208

SSQOL work after 1 year

7.59 ± 2.84

7.17 ± 2.61

0.158

**Table 3.** Age-Related Progress After Rehabilitation for Patients Below 60 Years
Parameter	Age below 50 years (n = 2)	Age between 50 and 59 years (n = 4)	P value
SSQOL: stroke-specific quality of life.
SSQOL total before	158.50 ± 2.12	156.50 ± 3.87	0.424
SSQOL total after 1 year	213.00 ± 1.41	206 ± 6.05	0.495
SSQOL energy before	11 ± 1.41	10.50 ± 0.57	0.385
SSQOL energy after 1 year	12.50 ± 0.70	12 ± 0.81	0.402
SSQOL family roles before	10.50 ± 0.70	11 ± 0.81	0.325
SSQOL family roles after 1 year	13.00 ± 0.40	11 ± 0.81	0.376
SSQOL language before	14.50 ± 21.21	12.75 ± 0.50	0.410
SSQOL language after 1 year	22.00 ± 0.00	15.25 ± 0.95	0.432
SSQOL mobility before	17 ± 1.41	21.25 ± 0.95	0.287
SSQOL mobility after 1 year	24 ± 1.41	24 ± 0.81	0.217
SSQOL mood before	15 ± 0.00	16.25 ± 1.25	0.336
SSQOL mood after 1 year	22 ± 0.00	21.50 ± 0.57	0.365
SSQOL personality before	11 ± 0.00	10.50 ± 0.57	0.221
SSQOL personality after 1 year	13 ± 0.00	12 ± 0.81	0.285
SSQOL self-care before	15.50 ± 0.70	15.50 ± 0.57	0.316
SSQOL self-care after 1 year	23.50 ± 0.70	22.75 ± 1.50	0.354
SSQOL social roles before	16 ± 0.00	14.50 ± 0.57	0.274
SSQOL social roles after 1 year	21 ± 0.00	20.50 ± 0.57	0.329
SSQOL thinking before	11 ± 0.00	10.50 ± 0.57	0.175
SSQOL thinking after 1 year	13 ± 0.00	12.75 ± 1.50	0.224
SSQOL upper motor function before	16 ± 0.00	15.50 ± 0.57	0.186
SSQOL upper motor function after 1 year	22.50 ± 0.70	21 ± 0.81	0.194
SSQOL vision before	12 ± 0.00	11.25 ± 0.50	0.427
SSQOL vision after 1 year	13.50 ± 0.70	13 ± 0.61	0.453
SSQOL work before	9 ± 0.00	8.25 ± 0.50	0.282
SSQOL work after 1 year	13 ± 0.00	12.50 ± 0.57	0.243

Table 3. Age-Related Progress After Rehabilitation for Patients Below 60 Years

Parameter

Age below 50 years (n = 2)

Age between 50 and 59 years (n = 4)

P value

SSQOL: stroke-specific quality of life.

SSQOL total before

158.50 ± 2.12

156.50 ± 3.87

0.424

SSQOL total after 1 year

213.00 ± 1.41

206 ± 6.05

0.495

SSQOL energy before

11 ± 1.41

10.50 ± 0.57

0.385

SSQOL energy after 1 year

12.50 ± 0.70

12 ± 0.81

0.402

SSQOL family roles before

10.50 ± 0.70

11 ± 0.81

0.325

SSQOL family roles after 1 year

13.00 ± 0.40

11 ± 0.81

0.376

SSQOL language before

14.50 ± 21.21

12.75 ± 0.50

0.410

SSQOL language after 1 year

22.00 ± 0.00

15.25 ± 0.95

0.432

SSQOL mobility before

17 ± 1.41

21.25 ± 0.95

0.287

SSQOL mobility after 1 year

24 ± 1.41

24 ± 0.81

0.217

SSQOL mood before

15 ± 0.00

16.25 ± 1.25

0.336

SSQOL mood after 1 year

22 ± 0.00

21.50 ± 0.57

0.365

SSQOL personality before

11 ± 0.00

10.50 ± 0.57

0.221

SSQOL personality after 1 year

13 ± 0.00

12 ± 0.81

0.285

SSQOL self-care before

15.50 ± 0.70

15.50 ± 0.57

0.316

SSQOL self-care after 1 year

23.50 ± 0.70

22.75 ± 1.50

0.354

SSQOL social roles before

16 ± 0.00

14.50 ± 0.57

0.274

SSQOL social roles after 1 year

21 ± 0.00

20.50 ± 0.57

0.329

SSQOL thinking before

11 ± 0.00

10.50 ± 0.57

0.175

SSQOL thinking after 1 year

13 ± 0.00

12.75 ± 1.50

0.224

SSQOL upper motor function before

16 ± 0.00

15.50 ± 0.57

0.186

SSQOL upper motor function after 1 year

22.50 ± 0.70

21 ± 0.81

0.194

SSQOL vision before

12 ± 0.00

11.25 ± 0.50

0.427

SSQOL vision after 1 year

13.50 ± 0.70

13 ± 0.61

0.453

SSQOL work before

9 ± 0.00

8.25 ± 0.50

0.282

SSQOL work after 1 year

13 ± 0.00

12.50 ± 0.57

0.243

**Table 4.** Age-Related Progress After Rehabilitation For Patients Over 60 Years
Parameter	Age between 60 and 69 years (n = 10)	Age between 70 and 79 years (n = 16)	Age over 80 years (n = 8)	P value
SSQOL: stroke-specific quality of life.
SSQOL total before	133.80 ± 7.49	116.25 ± 6.56	94.75 ± 8.31	0.178
SSQOL total after 1 year	168 ± 11.87	143.25 ± 6.38	119.13 ± 9.92	0.165
SSQOL energy before	8.10 ± 1.37	7.06 ± 0.85	5.13 ± 0.83	0.204
SSQOL energy after 1 year	9.80 ± 1.22	7.81 ± 0.98	6.63 ± 0.74	0.184
SSQOL family roles before	8.70 ± 0.94	7.31 ± 0.94	6 ± 1.19	0.210
SSQOL family roles after 1 year	10 ± 1.05	8.50 ± 0.89	7.13 ± 1.12	0.175
SSQOL language before	13.40 ± 1.05	13.36 ± 1.03	12.38 ± 1.50	0.192
SSQOL language after 1 year	17.50 ± 2.22	16.56 ± 1.03	14.25 ± 1.75	0.208
SSQOL mobility before	15.60 ± 0.84	13.94 ± 0.92	12.88 ± 0.83	0.213
SSQOL mobility after 1 year	19.90 ± 1.44	17.56 ± 0.81	16.38 ± 1.18	0.178
SSQOL mood before	14.70 ± 0.67	13.88 ± 0.95	11.63 ± 1.30	0.190
SSQOL mood after 1 year	19.20 ± 0.91	17.56 ± 1.20	14.75 ± 2.18	0.223
SSQOL personality before	8.60 ± 0.84	7 ± 0.89	5.13 ± 0.83	0.219
SSQOL personality after 1 year	10.10 ± 1.01	8 ± 1.03	6.75 ± 0.70	0.125
SSQOL self-care before	14 ± 1.24	13.25 ± 0.85	11.50 ± 0.92	0.167
SSQOL self-care after 1 year	18.60 ± 1.64	16.88 ± 0.71	14.88 ± 1.35	0.206
SSQOL social roles before	12 ± 2	8.19 ± 0.98	8.25 ± 1.38	0.254
SSQOL social roles after 1 year	15.90 ± 2.23	11.31 ± 1.40	5.63 ± 1.38	0.188
SSQOL thinking before	8.80 ± 0.78	7.06 ± 0.68	5.63 ± 0.51	0.174
SSQOL thinking after 1 year	10.10 ± 0.87	8 ± 0.73	6.63 ± 0.74	0.226
SSQOL upper motor function before	13.60 ± 0.84	12 ± 0.73	9.75 ± 0.70	0.232
SSQOL upper motor function after 1 year	13.60 ± 0.84	16.38 ± 1.25	12.75 ± 0.88	0.173
SSQOL vision before	9.40 ± 0.69	7.31 ± 0.70	5.75 ± 0.70	0.186
SSQOL vision after 1 year	10.60 ± 0.96	8.13 ± 0.80	6.50 ± 0.92	0.254
SSQOL work before	6.90 ± 0.73	5.69 ± 0.94	3.38 ± 0.51	0.221
SSQOL work after 1 year	8.10 ± 0.94	6.56 ± 0.96	4.25 ± 0.46	0.264

Table 4. Age-Related Progress After Rehabilitation For Patients Over 60 Years

Parameter

Age between 60 and 69 years (n = 10)

Age between 70 and 79 years (n = 16)

Age over 80 years (n = 8)

P value

SSQOL: stroke-specific quality of life.

SSQOL total before

133.80 ± 7.49

116.25 ± 6.56

94.75 ± 8.31

0.178

SSQOL total after 1 year

168 ± 11.87

143.25 ± 6.38

119.13 ± 9.92

0.165

SSQOL energy before

8.10 ± 1.37

7.06 ± 0.85

5.13 ± 0.83

0.204

SSQOL energy after 1 year

9.80 ± 1.22

7.81 ± 0.98

6.63 ± 0.74

0.184

SSQOL family roles before

8.70 ± 0.94

7.31 ± 0.94

6 ± 1.19

0.210

SSQOL family roles after 1 year

10 ± 1.05

8.50 ± 0.89

7.13 ± 1.12

0.175

SSQOL language before

13.40 ± 1.05

13.36 ± 1.03

12.38 ± 1.50

0.192

SSQOL language after 1 year

17.50 ± 2.22

16.56 ± 1.03

14.25 ± 1.75

0.208

SSQOL mobility before

15.60 ± 0.84

13.94 ± 0.92

12.88 ± 0.83

0.213

SSQOL mobility after 1 year

19.90 ± 1.44

17.56 ± 0.81

16.38 ± 1.18

0.178

SSQOL mood before

14.70 ± 0.67

13.88 ± 0.95

11.63 ± 1.30

0.190

SSQOL mood after 1 year

19.20 ± 0.91

17.56 ± 1.20

14.75 ± 2.18

0.223

SSQOL personality before

8.60 ± 0.84

7 ± 0.89

5.13 ± 0.83

0.219

SSQOL personality after 1 year

10.10 ± 1.01

8 ± 1.03

6.75 ± 0.70

0.125

SSQOL self-care before

14 ± 1.24

13.25 ± 0.85

11.50 ± 0.92

0.167

SSQOL self-care after 1 year

18.60 ± 1.64

16.88 ± 0.71

14.88 ± 1.35

0.206

SSQOL social roles before

12 ± 2

8.19 ± 0.98

8.25 ± 1.38

0.254

SSQOL social roles after 1 year

15.90 ± 2.23

11.31 ± 1.40

5.63 ± 1.38

0.188

SSQOL thinking before

8.80 ± 0.78

7.06 ± 0.68

5.63 ± 0.51

0.174

SSQOL thinking after 1 year

10.10 ± 0.87

8 ± 0.73

6.63 ± 0.74

0.226

SSQOL upper motor function before

13.60 ± 0.84

12 ± 0.73

9.75 ± 0.70

0.232

SSQOL upper motor function after 1 year

13.60 ± 0.84

16.38 ± 1.25

12.75 ± 0.88

0.173

SSQOL vision before

9.40 ± 0.69

7.31 ± 0.70

5.75 ± 0.70

0.186

SSQOL vision after 1 year

10.60 ± 0.96

8.13 ± 0.80

6.50 ± 0.92

0.254

SSQOL work before

6.90 ± 0.73

5.69 ± 0.94

3.38 ± 0.51

0.221

SSQOL work after 1 year

8.10 ± 0.94

6.56 ± 0.96

4.25 ± 0.46

0.264

**Table 5.** Comparison of Extreme Ages Regarding Rehabilitation Progress
Parameter	Age under 60 years (n = 6)	Age over 60 years (n = 34)	P value
SSQOL: stroke-specific quality of life.
SSQOL total before	156.50 ± 4.57	110.52 ± 16.75	0.019
SSQOL total after 1 year	210 ± 8.45	153.25 ± 17.38	0.005
SSQOL energy before	10.30 ± 1.57	7.36 ± 1.45	0.056
SSQOL energy after 1 year	12.2 ± 0.82	7.81 ± 2.08	0.045
SSQOL family roles before	11 ± 0.81	8.11 ± 0.94	0.009
SSQOL family roles after 1 year	11.53 ± 1.81	8.50 ± 1.59	0.007
SSQOL language before	10.50 ± 0.90	13.36 ± 1.83	0.015
SSQOL language after 1 year	18.25 ± 4.95	17.56 ± 2.23	0.03
SSQOL mobility before	19 ± 3.41	14.43 ± 0.92	0.104
SSQOL mobility after 1 year	24 ± 1.41	18.96 ± 1.61	0.063
SSQOL mood before	16.25 ± 1.25	13.98 ± 1.25	0.126
SSQOL mood after 1 year	21.50 ± 0.57	18.56 ± 1.70	0.067
SSQOL personality before	10.50 ± 0.57	7.32 ± 0.89	0.173
SSQOL personality after 1 year	12 ± 0.81	8.25 ± 1.43	0.032
SSQOL self-care before	15.50 ± 0.70	12.15 ± 1.25	0.204
SSQOL self-care after 1 year	23.25 ± 1.25	17.28 ± 1.41	0.052
SSQOL social roles before	15.50 ± 1.57	10.19 ± 1.98	0.108
SSQOL social roles after 1 year	13.25 ± 4.55	12.16 ± 2.80	0.061
SSQOL thinking before	8.20 ± 1.28	7.76 ± 0.78	0.098
SSQOL thinking after 1 year	12.75 ± 1.50	8.98 ± 1.73	0.047
SSQOL upper motor function before	15.50 ± 0.57	12.7 ± 0.83	0.163
SSQOL upper motor function after 1 year	21.50 ± 2.70	13.38 ± 3.25	0.039
SSQOL vision before	11.25 ± 0.50	7.51 ± 2.70	0.028
SSQOL vision after 1 year	13 ± 0.71	7.93 ± 1.40	0.024
SSQOL work before	8.25 ± 0.50	4.89 ± 1.94	0.302
SSQOL work after 1 year	12.50 ± 0.57	7.14 ± 1.96	0.004

Table 5. Comparison of Extreme Ages Regarding Rehabilitation Progress

Parameter

Age under 60 years (n = 6)

Age over 60 years (n = 34)

P value

SSQOL: stroke-specific quality of life.

SSQOL total before

156.50 ± 4.57

110.52 ± 16.75

0.019

SSQOL total after 1 year

210 ± 8.45

153.25 ± 17.38

0.005

SSQOL energy before

10.30 ± 1.57

7.36 ± 1.45

0.056

SSQOL energy after 1 year

12.2 ± 0.82

7.81 ± 2.08

0.045

SSQOL family roles before

11 ± 0.81

8.11 ± 0.94

0.009

SSQOL family roles after 1 year

11.53 ± 1.81

8.50 ± 1.59

0.007

SSQOL language before

10.50 ± 0.90

13.36 ± 1.83

0.015

SSQOL language after 1 year

18.25 ± 4.95

17.56 ± 2.23

0.03

SSQOL mobility before

19 ± 3.41

14.43 ± 0.92

0.104

SSQOL mobility after 1 year

24 ± 1.41

18.96 ± 1.61

0.063

SSQOL mood before

16.25 ± 1.25

13.98 ± 1.25

0.126

SSQOL mood after 1 year

21.50 ± 0.57

18.56 ± 1.70

0.067

SSQOL personality before

10.50 ± 0.57

7.32 ± 0.89

0.173

SSQOL personality after 1 year

12 ± 0.81

8.25 ± 1.43

0.032

SSQOL self-care before

15.50 ± 0.70

12.15 ± 1.25

0.204

SSQOL self-care after 1 year

23.25 ± 1.25

17.28 ± 1.41

0.052

SSQOL social roles before

15.50 ± 1.57

10.19 ± 1.98

0.108

SSQOL social roles after 1 year

13.25 ± 4.55

12.16 ± 2.80

0.061

SSQOL thinking before

8.20 ± 1.28

7.76 ± 0.78

0.098

SSQOL thinking after 1 year

12.75 ± 1.50

8.98 ± 1.73

0.047

SSQOL upper motor function before

15.50 ± 0.57

12.7 ± 0.83

0.163

SSQOL upper motor function after 1 year

21.50 ± 2.70

13.38 ± 3.25

0.039

SSQOL vision before

11.25 ± 0.50

7.51 ± 2.70

0.028

SSQOL vision after 1 year

13 ± 0.71

7.93 ± 1.40

0.024

SSQOL work before

8.25 ± 0.50

4.89 ± 1.94

0.302

SSQOL work after 1 year

12.50 ± 0.57

7.14 ± 1.96

0.004