Objective: Phase angle, an assessment of muscle quality, might be a possible predictor of physical function in patients with an acute stroke; however, the evidence for the same is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether phase angle is associated with improved physical function at discharge.
Methods: In this observational cohort study, we determined the phase angle in patients with an acute stroke using a portable, noninvasive multifrequency bio-impedance device. The primary objective was the assessment of physical function using the Functional Independence Measure motor (FIM-motor) at discharge in the acute phase. The secondary outcome was home discharge. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the association between phase angle, FIM-motor score, and home discharge.
Results: The study included 129 patients (78 men; mean age 75.2 years). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the phase angle was independently associated with FIM-motor score at discharge in all models (Model 1: β= 0.27, p < 0.001; Model 2: β = 0.234, p < 0.001; Model 3: β = 0.201, p = 0.017). However, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the phase angle was not associated with home discharge (p = 0.464).
Conclusions: The phase angle at the onset of a stroke, is an independent predictor of physical function at discharge in the acute phase. Our findings highlight the importance of determining the phase angle in patients with an acute stroke.
Keywords: Muscle mass; Phase angle; Physical function; Prognosis; Rehabilitation; Sarcopenia; Stroke.
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