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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Very early rehabilitation, with an emphasis on mobilization, may contribute to improved outcomes after stroke. We hypothesized that a very early rehabilitation protocol would be safe and feasible. METHODS: We performed a randomized, controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. Patients at 7. There was no significant difference in the number of deaths between groups (SC, 3 of 33; VEM, 8 of 38; P=0.20). Almost all deaths occurred in patients with severe stroke. Secondary safety outcomes were similar between groups. The intervention protocol was successfully delivered, achieving VEM dose targets (double SC, P=0.003) and faster time to first mobilization (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: VEM of patients within 24 hours of acute stroke appears safe and feasible. Intervention efficacy and cost-effectiveness are currently being tested in a large randomized, controlled trial.
Bernhardt et al. (Thu,) studied this question.