Rehabilitation Strategies for Functional Recovery in Stroke Patients

Stroke is a disease in which cerebral function is lost due to blockage of blood supply or bleeding of brain tissue. It is associated with various neurological dysfunctions that affect movement, sensation, postural control, language, cognition, and perception depending on the location of the brain lesion and degree of damage.

Balance requires highly complex interactions involving muscle strength, muscle tone, joint flexibility, balance reflexes, and visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive senses. Walking is important for patients after stroke because it plays a crucial role in the activities of daily living and the many tasks required for an independent life.

Stability limit reduction and postural fluctuations in stroke patients increase weight support difference between paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides, and eventually, reduce balance ability. The reduced balance ability also negatively affects walking ability. The main reason for balance and gait limitations in stroke patients is loss of voluntary control due to weakness or paralysis in lower limbs.

Reduced balance ability and gait functions cause difficulties in daily life, and are major factors of poor quality of life among patients with stroke, and also have substantial socioeconomic impacts. Therefore, rehabilitation treatment for stroke patients should focus on improving quality of life as well as recovering physical functions.

This book is an evidence-based summary of rehabilitation treatment methods that can be implemented to improve the quality of life as well as functional recovery of stroke patients.