Interaction effects of in-hospital rehabilitation and the use of community-based services after hospital discharge on patients’ subsequent functional abilities

BACKGROUND: Patients' functional abilities after hospital discharge are influenced by rehabilitation during their hospital stay and their use of community-based services after hospital discharge. This study examined the interaction between rehabilitation during hospital stay, the use of community-based rehabilitation and non-rehabilitation services and their influence on patients' subsequent functional abilities. METHODS: This cohort study included 509 inpatients who underwent rehabilitation between 2008 and 2011 in Japan. Participants were categorized into 2 groups based on their condition: stroke and other. Interaction effects between the change in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the use of community-based rehabilitation and non-rehabilitation services on patients' subsequent functional abilities were estimated by sequential linear regression analyses in which the dependent variable was the FIM score 3 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS: A significant interaction between the change in FIM and the use of community-based rehabilitation or non-rehabilitation services after hospital discharge was observed among stroke and other patients. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation during hospital stay and the use of community-based rehabilitation or non-rehabilitation services interacted to influence the subsequent functional abilities of patients discharged home. These findings may be useful for maintaining patients' functional abilities after hospital discharge.