The Significance of Motivation for Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with motivation for rehabilitation in stroke patients and to identify the relationship between their motivation and functional outcome. METHOD: Subjects were 23 stroke patients who admitted to rehabilitation wards. Volitional Questionnaire (VQ) for assessing patients' motivation, personal and environmental variables, modified Barthel index (MBI), Beck depression inventory (BDI), minimental status examination (MMSE) and neurobehavioral cognitive status examination (NCSE), visual reaction time (VRT) and auditory reaction time (ART) were obtained at 1 week after admission, and then MBI was measured again after 4 weeks. RESULTS: VQ score was not related to the personal and environmental variables, but significantly related to BDI, MMSE, NCSE, VRT, ART, follow up score of MBI 4 weeks later and MBI gain. CONCLUSION: Motivation was more associated with neuropsychological status than personal or environmental factors and significant factor of functional outcome. Therefore, physicians and physiotherapists should attempt to promote motivation of their patients during rehabilitation.