Successful Rehabilitation Outcomes in a 93 Years Oldest-Old Patient after Left ACA and MCA Infarction: A Case Report

Abstract

As the geriatric population grows rapidly, the incidence of stroke is high in the elderly (age > 65 years) and peaks in the oldest old (age > 85 years). However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness of rehabilitation in the oldest old stroke patients. We report the case of a 93-year-old man with hemiplegia, cognitive impairment, aphasia, and dysphagia after acute stroke. The patient underwent rehabilitation evaluation within 48 hours of disease onset and started early mobilization. After being transferred to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, he underwent eccentric biased strengthening exercises and customized treatment to prevent complications. After 4 months of intensive inpatient rehabilitation, his functional level (FIM total from 25 to 51), aphasia (AQ score from 5.9 to 12.4), and dysphasia improved. He could independently walk to the toilet using an anterior walker. Although aging progression is associated with reduced effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment, our case report suggests that early multidisciplinary intensive inpatient rehabilitation may bring significant functional benefits to the oldest-old population.