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BMC Neurology
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

The Early Functional Abilities (EFA) scale to assess neurological and neurosurgical early rehabilitation patients

Authors: Ariane Hankemeier, Jens D. Rollnik

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

It is difficult to assess neurological and neurosurgical early rehabilitation patients comprehensively. Available scales focus on activities of daily living (Barthel (BI) and Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index (ERBI)) or wakefulness (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Coma Remission Scale (CRS)) while cognitive items are missing.

Methods

The Early Functional Abilities (EFA) scale comprises 20 items referring to activities of daily living (ADL), wakefulness and cognitive abilities. To evaluate its validity, n = 623 early neurological and neurosurgical rehabilitation patients (most of them after ischemic stroke or cerebral bleeding) were assessed on admission using the EFA, ERBI, GCS, CRS and measures of morbidity (co-diagnoses).

Results

The more co-diagnoses the lower EFA sum scores were obtained (Spearman-Rho rs = -0.509, p < 0.001). EFA predicted length of stay (LOS, rs = -0.565, p < 0.001) and BI at discharge (rs = 0.571, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The results suggest that EFA is a valid instrument to assess critically ill neurological and neurosurgical early rehabilitation patients. It may be used as a measure of morbidity and a predictor of LOS and outcome. Further studies are strongly encouraged.
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Metadata
Title
The Early Functional Abilities (EFA) scale to assess neurological and neurosurgical early rehabilitation patients
Authors
Ariane Hankemeier
Jens D. Rollnik
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-015-0469-z

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