Tanja Karic, Cecilie Røe, Tonje Haug Nordenmark, Frank Becker, Angelika Sorteberg
Dept of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal and Rikshospitalet, P.B. 4950 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway. E-mail: tanja.karic@gmail.com
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2121

Objective: To assess the impact of early mobilization and rehabilitation on global functional outcome one year after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Methods: Prospective, controlled, interventional study comprising patients managed in the neuro-intermediate ward following repair of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Patients in the Control group (n = 76) received standard treatment, whereas those in the Early Rehab group (n = 92) in addition underwent early mobilization and rehabilitation. Demographic, clinical and intervention data were registered. Global functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale and the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended.
Results: The 2 groups were similar in their demographic and clinical characteristics. Early Rehab group patients were mobilized more quickly (p < 0. 001), median 1. 4 days (range 0–23 days) after aneurysm repair. After 1 year, 47% of the patients had made a good recovery, whereas 6. 5% had died. Regression analysis did not reveal any significant effect of early rehabilitation on functional outcome. However, in poor-grade patients, early rehabilitation more than doubled the chance of a favourable outcome (adjusted odds ratio = 2. 33; confidence interval 1. 04–5. 2, p = 0. 039).
Conclusion: Early mobilization and rehabilitation probably increases the chance of a good functional outcome in poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage patients.