EFFECTIVENESS OF FUNCTIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMME IN THE SUBPACUTE PERIOD OF ACUTE CEREBRAL CIRCULATION DISORDER IN A HOSPITAL SETTING

Abstract

Acute cerebrovascular disorders are among the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, stroke ranks second among the causes of death and is a major contributor to long-term loss of work capacity. Purpose of the study: to determine the effectiveness of physical therapy in the subacute period of acute cerebrovascular accident through the implementation of a functionally oriented program. The study employed theoretical research methods, including analysis, comparison, induction, deduction, systematization, and generalization of scientific and methodological literature, as well as empirical methods and methods of mathematical statistics. Results. The results demonstrated an improvement in independence in activities of daily living as measured by the Barthel Index, showing a significant increase in the main group from 49.44 ± 1.27 to 71.94 ± 1.28 points (p < 0.001), which indicates a substantial enhancement of patient independence. In contrast, the comparison group showed only a minor improvement of 3.24 points (p < 0.001). Analysis of the 10-Meter Walk Test and the 6-Minute Walk Test also revealed a significant improvement in the studied indicators among patients in the main group. The time to complete the 10-Meter Walk Test in the main group decreased significantly by 4.05 seconds (p < 0.001), indicating a marked increase in gait speed and overall mobility as a result of the applied functionally oriented physical therapy program, whereas no statistically significant improvements in walking speed were observed in the comparison group. A comprehensive analysis of functional outcomes allows for a well-founded conclusion regarding the high clinical effectiveness of the applied functionally oriented physical therapy program. The data obtained convincingly demonstrate that a targeted approach significantly accelerates and improves functioning in both women and men during the subacute period of stroke compared with standard rehabilitation measures.