Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that affect functional outcomes in hemiplegic patients who presented at our hospital for rehabilitation.

Materials and Methods: 150 patients who presented for therapy in January 2002 - November 2005 were included in the study. Demographic data, etiology, hemiplegic side and risk factors were recorded. The patients were evaluated before and after  therapy with Brunnstrom scoring for motor evaluation, Rivermead Mobility Index for mobility, Barthel Index for functional improvement and Ashworth Scale for spasticity. 
 

Results: 86 women and 64 men were included in the study. Mean age was 62.36±11.72 years and mean rehabilitation time was 37.12 ±15 days. The mean Barthel Index Score was 50.56±21,37, 65.93±19.63 and mean Rivermead was 4.45±3.54, 7.06±3.71 before and after rehabilitation respectively. Significant improvements were noted in the Rivermead and Barthel Index at discharge when compared to values on admittance (p<0.05). It was determined that, although the rehabilitation results were not affected by sex, age or hemiplegic side, they were affected by their educational level. The improvement of  patients having no spasticity was found to be better than those with spasticity. It was also found that progress in the Barthel Index scores of the patients who had joined a rehabilitation programme within 3 months after their stroke was considerably better. 
 

Conclusion: Rehabilitation of hemiplegic patients improves the functional state and mobility and  provides motor improvement. Initiating rehabilitation at an early period after a stroke improves the rehabilitation results.