Respiratory Function and Grip Strength in the Acute Phase of Stroke Are Associated with Stroke Severity and Disability at Hospital Discharge

Lorena Cristina Alvarez Sartor; Gustavo José Luvizutto; Juli Thomaz de Souza; Evelin Roberta Silva Dalle Molle; Gabriel Pinheiro Modolo; Taís Regina da Silva; Robson Aparecido Prudente; Priscila Watson Ribeiro; Rafael Dalle Molle da Costa; Letícia Cláudia de Oliveira Antunes; Natália Cristina Ferreira; Silméia Garcia Zanati Bazan; Fernanda Cristina Winckler; Hélio Rubens de Carvalho Nunes; Marcos Ferreira Minicucci; Rodrigo Bazan

doi:10.1155/2020/1636540

Respiratory Function and Grip Strength in the Acute Phase of Stroke Are Associated with Stroke Severity and Disability at Hospital Discharge

Rehabil Res Pract. 2020 Feb 3:2020:1636540. doi: 10.1155/2020/1636540. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Lorena Cristina Alvarez Sartor¹, Gustavo José Luvizutto², Juli Thomaz de Souza¹, Evelin Roberta Silva Dalle Molle³, Gabriel Pinheiro Modolo⁴, Taís Regina da Silva³, Robson Aparecido Prudente³, Priscila Watson Ribeiro⁴, Rafael Dalle Molle da Costa³, Letícia Cláudia de Oliveira Antunes³, Natália Cristina Ferreira⁴, Silméia Garcia Zanati Bazan⁵, Fernanda Cristina Winckler¹, Hélio Rubens de Carvalho Nunes⁶, Marcos Ferreira Minicucci⁵, Rodrigo Bazan⁷

Affiliations

¹ PhD Student, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Brazil.
² Department of Applied Physical Therapy, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Brazil.
³ Rehabilitation Center, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Brazil.
⁴ Stroke Unit, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Brazil.
⁵ Department of Internal Medicine, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Brazil.
⁶ Statistical, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Brazil.
⁷ Department of Neurology, Psychology and Psychiatry, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Brazil.

Abstract

Introduction. Stroke can lead to musculoskeletal and respiratory dysfunction, chronic deconditioning, and functional limitations, as well as long-term complications.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between respiratory function and grip strength in the acute phase of stroke and stroke severity, disability, and autonomy in the long term.

Methods: This was a cohort study including 46 patients in the stroke unit. The stroke patients were assessed in the stroke unit at the following moments: at admission by the clinical and haemodynamic stability, demographic and anthropometric data, hand grip strength, stroke severity by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and respiratory function using a manovacuometer; during hospitalization by clinical complications and the length of stay; and at hospital discharge and 90 days after discharge by the degrees of functional capacity and dependence using NIHSS, modified Rankin scale (mRs), and Barthel index. Data analysis was performed by multiple linear regression to verify the association between respiratory function and grip strength and the outcomes.

Results: The median length of stay in the stroke unit was 7 days. A negative correlation was found between the palmar prehension strength on the unaffected side and mRs at discharge (β = -0.034, p = 0.049). The NIHSS scores at discharge (β = -0.034, p = 0.049). The NIHSS scores at discharge (β = -0.034, p = 0.049). The NIHSS scores at discharge (.

Conclusion: It was concluded that a loss of grip strength is associated with a loss of ability and autonomy at discharge and poor respiratory function is associated with stroke severity at discharge.