Functional Outcome Measures In Stroke Rehabilitation Among Physiotherapists In Klang Valley, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The use of functional outcome measures (OMs) in physiotherapy practice is widely recommended to monitor stroke patients’ functional status over time and is considered an integral part of rehabilitation. Despite internationally recommended standards, there is limited evidence regarding their use among physiotherapists in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the level of use of functional OMs in stroke rehabilitation and to examine the relationship between work experience, educational level, and facility recommendation with their use among physiotherapists in Klang Valley. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey, developed based on previous studies, was distributed to 172 physiotherapists working in private healthcare settings in Klang Valley. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multifactorial ANOVA. Results: Of the 172 participants, 124 were female (72.1%) and 48 were male (27.9%), with a mean age of 31.72 ± 6.84 years. The majority (97.7%) reported using functional OMs in stroke management, while only 4 participants reported not using them. More than 30% indicated using functional OMs for every five stroke patients they manage. Facility recommendation was significantly associated with the frequency of functional OM use (p = 0.001), whereas years of working experience (p = 0.942) and educational level (p = 0.327) were not significantly associated. Conclusion: In conclusion, most physiotherapists in private healthcare settings in Klang Valley use functional outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation. Facility recommendation was significantly associated with their use, while years of experience and educational level were not. These findings highlight the importance of organisational support in promoting consistent use of functional outcome measures in clinical practice