Early Rehabilitative Care in Community Hospitals: Effect on Quality of Survivorship Following a Stroke

The effect of early institution of rehabilitative care on quality of survivorship was investigated in 483 patients with their first cerebral infarction. Impaired consciousness at onset adversely affects survivorship and recovery of motor strength. Early institution of rehabilitation was associated with reduced mortality and improved quality of survivorship regardless of severity of the illness, age, or presence of associated diseases.