Impact of Early Mobilization on Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated With Thrombolysis or Thrombectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Early mobilization (EM) within 24 to 72 hours post-stroke may improve patients’ performance and ability. However, after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) or mechanical thrombectomy (MT), the increased risk of hemorrhagic complications impacts the implementation of early out-of-bed mobilization. Few studies have investigated EM after IVT or MT for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and its impact in these patients is unknown. Objective To investigate the effect of EM on AIS treated with IVT or MT.| Methods We recruited 122 patients with first AIS; 60 patients were treated with IVT, and 62 patients were treated with MT. For each IVT and MT cohort, the control groups received standard early rehabilitation, and the intervention groups received an EM protocol. The training lasted 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week until discharge. Main Outcomes Measures The effectiveness of the interventions was evaluated using the motor domain of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor) and the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) at baseline, 2-week, 4-week, and 3-month post-stroke, the Functional Ambulation Category 2-week post-stroke, and the total length of stay at the stroke center. Results Both IVT and MT treatment groups showed improved FIM-motor and PASS scores over time; however, only the IVT EM group had significantly improved FIM-motor performance within 1 month after stroke than the control group. Conclusion. An EM protocol with the same intervention time and session frequency per day as in the standard care protocol was effective in improving the functional ability of stroke patients after IVT.