Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: outcomes of early rehabilitation after surgical repair of ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Abstract

The aim was to analyse functional and cognitive outcomes in patients receiving early rehabilitation treatment after surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The assessment protocol included all relevant clinical data, the Hunt-Hess scale, the functional independence measure (FIM), and the mini mental state examination (MMSE). Of 59 patients included in the study, 52.5% (31) were men and 47.5% (28) were women. The patients' average age was 52 years, and 57.6% were employed at the time of the aneurysm rupture. The mean duration of hospital stay was 25 days; 67.8% (40) of the patients were discharged home. At discharge, 72.7% of the patients were without any motor impairment, but 59.6% showed cognitive impairment. By the time of discharge, 43.4% (23) of the patients had attained independence in activites of daily living, 18.9% (10) needed intermittent supervision, and 37.7% (20) required constant supervision in the performance of these activities. The severity of cognitive impairment has predictive value for the functional status and the level of supervision required at discharge.