Rehabilitative Care of Stroke Patients

Stroke patients who survive the acute phase of their cerebrovascular accident (CVA) are younger, less severely disabled, and have less advanced cardiovascular disease than those who die. Nevertheless, the more optimistic estimates of success in rehabilitating such survivors are not confirmed by the published results. Many CVA patients delay several months or more before seeking rehabilitative care, although such care produces greater improvement in early applicants. The stimulation for earlier care is a complex problem. We need more information to learn how difficult it is to find patients suitable for rehabilitation at home and in institutions. The intensification of rehabilitation in general hospitals probably deserves most priority. We must also initiate controlled studies of rehabilitative care provided under varying circumstances.