Does the NRS Capture Changes in Communication during Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation?

Statistically significant improvements were observed in all total matched FIM scores (M = 72.68 to M = 96.39, P < .001) and for each expression (M = 4.61 to M = 5.35, P < .001) and comprehension (M = 4.69 to M = 5.33, P < .001) subscale. The most severely affected group demonstrated the greatest gains. These findings were independent of stroke severity. Additional outcome measurement tools for communication are therefore not required to assess outcomes in rehabilitation of stroke patients, although additional research is necessary to evaluate the clinical significance of the improvements that are observed using existing measurements of change.