Longer term rehabilitation for patients following stroke: A literature review

Stroke remains the main cause of severe disability in the UK with approximately one third of stroke survivors functionally dependent at 1 year after a stroke. Early access to cognitive and physical rehabilitation therapy after stroke is considered to be a hallmark of effective stroke services but evidence is also emerging to support longer term rehabilitation for these patients. This paper explores the evidence base for cognitive and physical rehabilitation therapy for patients 6 months or later after stroke. Intensively applied interventions appear to mediate more positive and sustained outcomes. Group interventions can be an efficient way to maximize intensity. All professions have a responsibility to ensure that practice is evidence based. In light of a paucity of quality research in rehabilitation interventions, it is incumbent on health professionals, service users and researchers to work together to study longer term rehabilitation in a more rigorous manner.