Sex Differences in Rehabilitation Outcomes After Stroke: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study
- 1Department of Physiotherapy, University of Zielona Góra, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
- 2Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, University Hospital in Zielona Góra, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
- 3Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The findings of studies that assess post-stroke rehabilitation outcomes according to sex remain inconclusive. This study aimed to assess the rehabilitation outcomes among patients after a first stroke according to sex and identify the factors related to functional status and independence in performing basic activities of daily living at discharge. Methods: The data from 527 patients, aged 69.1 ± 11.8 years, comprising 244 women and 283 men, were analyzed. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index (BI), Trunk Control Test (TCT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used at two measurement points: upon admission to the ward (T1) and at discharge (T2). Results: No significant differences between women and men at T1 were found. At T2, statistically significant differences in the length of stay in the ward, MMSE, BBS, TCT, TUG, and BI were observed, but the reported effect sizes were generally small. At T2, men had better rehabilitation outcomes, but they stayed in the rehabilitation ward significantly longer than women. The analysis revealed no significant effect of the time point of measurement (T1 vs. T2) and sex interaction on the test results. Greater independence in basic activities of daily living at discharge (BI > 15 at T2) depended on sex, age, MMSE, and TUG at T1. Conclusions: The results obtained do not provide conclusive evidence for differences in rehabilitation outcomes based on sex. Further research on the factors and mechanisms involved in stroke rehabilitation outcomes in relation to sex is needed.
Related
- Association Between Texture-Modified Diet Intake Rate and Functional Outcomes After Acute Stroke: A Retrospective Observational Study
- Functional Mobility Outcomes Following End-Effector Robotic-Assisted Gait Training in Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Single-Cohort Pilot Study
- The effect of regional disparities in access to rehabilitation services on mortality among stroke patients : A Korean nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study
- Changes in hepatic functional reserve and renal function during hospitalization in patients with chronic liver disease : A retrospective observational study of inpatient rehabilitation
- ITACARE-P cardiorehab registry: real-world data on quality and outcomes in heart failure and ischaemic heart disease - a prospective observational study protocol of the Italian early post-acute cardiac rehabilitation network.
BibTeX
@article{malek2026differences,
title = {{Sex Differences in Rehabilitation Outcomes After Stroke: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study}},
author = {Michał Małek and Anna Hozakowska and Zbigniew Guzek and Małgorzata Stefańska and Joanna Kowalska},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15218660},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8660},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Sex Differences in Rehabilitation Outcomes After Stroke: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study
AU - Michał Małek
AU - Anna Hozakowska
AU - Zbigniew Guzek
AU - Małgorzata Stefańska
AU - Joanna Kowalska
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15218660
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8660
AB - Background/Objectives: The findings of studies that assess post-stroke rehabilitation outcomes according to sex remain inconclusive. This study aimed to assess the rehabilitation outcomes among patients after a first stroke according to sex and identify the factors related to functional status and independence in performing basic activities of daily living at discharge. Methods: The data from 527 patients, aged 69.1 ± 11.8 years, comprising 244 women and 283 men, were analyzed. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index (BI), Trunk Control Test (TCT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used at two measurement points: upon admission to the ward (T1) and at discharge (T2). Results: No significant differences between women and men at T1 were found. At T2, statistically significant differences in the length of stay in the ward, MMSE, BBS, TCT, TUG, and BI were observed, but the reported effect sizes were generally small. At T2, men had better rehabilitation outcomes, but they stayed in the rehabilitation ward significantly longer than women. The analysis revealed no significant effect of the time point of measurement (T1 vs. T2) and sex interaction on the test results. Greater independence in basic activities of daily living at discharge (BI > 15 at T2) depended on sex, age, MMSE, and TUG at T1. Conclusions: The results obtained do not provide conclusive evidence for differences in rehabilitation outcomes based on sex. Further research on the factors and mechanisms involved in stroke rehabilitation outcomes in relation to sex is needed.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -