RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF MOTOR RECOVERY FOLLOWING PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION IN STROKE SURVIVORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL(UBTH)

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide, resulting in frequent motor impairment that affects patients‘ independence and quality of life. Method: This study employed a retrospective study design, examining existing data from case notes and medical records. Data were collected from hospital physiotherapy records of stroke survivors managed between 2018 and 2024. Information collected include demographics, stroke type, pre and post treatment scores using the NIHSS and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). Data analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS version 26 using descriptive and Chi-square statistics, with significance set at p < 0.05. Result: The study of 82 stroke survivors demonstrated that physiotherapy intervention led to statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) in motor function. Post-treatment results showed marked increases in upper and lower limb muscle strength, with the proportion of patients rated as having "good" coordination rising from 39.0% to 64.6%, balance from 35.4% to 67.1%, and range of motion from 18.3% to 62.2%. Conclusion: Comprehensive physiotherapy is highly effective in promoting motor recovery after stroke. A multifaceted rehabilitation approach, rather than reliance on a single technique, is recommended to maximize patient outcomes in strength, balance, and coordination. Keyword: Physiotherapy intervention, motor recovery, stroke. UBTH