Impact of the Convalescent Rehabilitation Medical Hospital System on Functional Recovery in Stroke Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether the implementation of the convalescent rehabilitation medical hospital system was associated with improved functional outcomes in stroke patients undergoing post-acute rehabilitation.

Study Design: A Retrospective cohort study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Rehabilitation department, IM Rehabilitation Hospital, from May 15, 2025, to December 22, 2025.

Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study using electronic medical records (EMR). Stroke patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital within 90 days after stroke onset were included. Participants were divided into two groups according to the implementation of the convalescent rehabilitation medical hospital system: patients treated before implementation (Group 1, n=107) and patients treated after implementation (Group 2, n=52). Functional outcomes were evaluated at admission, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks using the Mini-Mental State Examination
(MMSE), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Hand Function Test (HFT).

Results: The improvement in activities of daily living was significantly greater in Group 2 than in Group 1 (MBI change: 12.39 ± 11.83 vs. 2.92 ± 4.87, p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 1.21). Upper limb function also showed greater
improvement in Group 2 (HFT change: 2.59 ± 3.74 vs. 0.87 ± 2.58, p = 0.004; Cohen’s d = 0.57). However, changes in cognitive function measured by MMSE did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.055).

Conclusion: The implementation of the convalescent rehabilitation medical hospital system was associated with greater improvements in activities of daily living and upper limb function in stroke patients. These findings suggest that structured intensive rehabilitation during the post-acute recovery phase may enhance functional outcomes after stroke.