Objective:

To assess if early mobility during the first 24 hours of admission is associated with better functional outcomes defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of less than 2 in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who received intravenous (IV) thrombolysis.

Background:

Early mobilization after receiving intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke is thought to have beneficial effects, however, it is still poorly defined and studied.

Design/Methods:

We reviewed 168 patients with AIS who received IV thrombolysis between January 2020 and April 2023. Early mobility was considered as an evaluation from physical and occupational therapy during the first 24 hours of stroke symptoms. The primary outcome was mRS at 90 days. The secondary endpoint was NIHSS at discharge and days of hospitalization.

Results:

Of the studied patients, a total of 55 patients (32%) underwent early mobility. The sample was primarily male (54.5%). The early mobility group was slightly younger (median age 65 vs 67.5 years old), p=0.05. Patients with early mobility orders had higher odds of having an excellent mRS (0-1) at 90 days (Odds Ratio, OR 2.96, 95% Confidence Interval, CI 1.38-6.37, p=0.005) and at discharge (OR 5.47, 95% CI 2.49-12.04). Days of hospitalization were shorter in the early mobility group (median days 4 vs 6), p<0.001. No significant difference was found in NIHSS change between baseline and discharge (EM median change = 4 IQR 1-8 vs no EM median change = 3 IQR 1-9).

Conclusions:

Early mobility during the first 24 hours of stroke symptoms in patients who received IV thrombolysis is associated with better functional outcomes in 90 days. We did not find any significant difference in NIHSS at discharge however, days of hospitalization were decreased in the early mobility group.