Plain language summary
Following a stroke, many patients are left with muscle weakness or paralysis down one side of the body, which can lead to problems with movement and balance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplements on the recovery of stroke patients with vitamin D deficiency. At the beginning of the study, patients were given injections of either 300,000 IU vitamin D or saline (control), into their muscles. They then received three months of rehabilitation. By the end of the third month, the vitamin D group saw significantly better improvements in balance, fall risk, daily activities and mobility than the control group. Ability to walk unassisted and motor function were not significantly different between the two groups. The study concluded that vitamin D supplementation has positive effects on the improvement of balance and activities of daily living in stroke patients who have low levels of vitamin D.
Abstract
[Purpose] To investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on rehabilitation outcomes and balance in patients having hemiplegia due to ischemic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Vitamin D levels of 132 patients hospitalized for hemiplegia rehabilitation due to ischemic stroke were tested. Consequently, 86/132 patients had low vitamin D levels, 72 of which met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (injected with 300,000 IU vitamin D), and Group B (injected intramuscularly with saline). Each patient was tested at the baseline and at the third month using the Brunnstrom recovery staging, functional ambulation scale, modified Barthel index, and Berg balance scale. The findings were compared between the groups. [Results] By the end of the third month, The Berg balance scale results and modified Barthel index scores significantly differed between the two groups, whereas Brunnstrom recovery staging and functional ambulation scale test results did not. [Conclusion] This study found that vitamin D administration increased the activity levels and accelerated balance recovery but did not significantly affect ambulation or motor recovery. These results warrant confirmation by longer follow-up studies with a larger number of participants.
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