Review article

Rehabilitation guidelines for stroke survivors

Tea SCHNURRER-LUKE-VRBANIĆ orcid.org/0000-0002-9161-4328 ; Zavod za fizikalnu i rehabilitacijsku medicinu, Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka
Viviana AVANCINI-DOBROVIĆ ; Zavod za fizikalnu i rehabilitacijsku medicinu, Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka
Žarko BAKRAN ; Služba za medicinsku rehabilitaciju neuroloških bolesnika, Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Krapinske Toplice
Mira KADOJIĆ ; Zavod za fizikalnu medicinu i rehabilitaciju, Klinički bolnički centar Osijek

Abstract

Brain stroke is a clinical syndrome characterized by sudden development of focal neurologic deficit, with symptoms correlating with the size and place of brain damage. In the past decade, stroke was the leading cause of long-term disability. Therefore, stroke rehabilitation should start immediately in the stage of acute stroke units and then proceed in accordance with rehabilitation protocols, depending on the clinical symptoms and signs, in rehabilitation departments, outpatient departments and home settings. Stroke rehabilitation should be delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals headed by a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. During the rehabilitation process, brain neuroplasticity and function facilitation are applied, with the main goal of achieving patients activities of daily living and their social participation, depending on the extent of brain damage.
The key aspects of rehabilitation are identification and grading of functional impairment, planning of treatment, setting short- and long-term rehabilitation goals, providing the interventions and evaluation of rehabilitation effectiveness. The ultimate goal of rehabilitation consists in achieving patients’ full participation in their family life, work place and within wider social community. There are clear standards and worldwide guidelines referring to rehabilitation of stroke survivors according to the postulates of evidence based medicine. Following the above guidelines, this paper brings forward the guidelines set out by the Croatian Society for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. These guidelines are intended for physiatrists and other specialist physicians dealing with patients who have suffered brain stroke, as well as for family physicians and other health professionals.

Keywords

guidelines; rehabilitation; stroke

Hrčak ID:

163304

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/163304

Publication date:

14.3.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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