Principles of Stroke Rehabilitation Treatment

Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Principles of stroke rehabilitation treatment.

First is the issue of timing; it is crucial to choose the appropriate time for rehabilitation intervention. Rehabilitation treatment should start as early as possible when the patient's condition is stable.

Secondly, rehabilitation assessment, also known as rehabilitation evaluation, should be performed throughout the treatment process. This allows for comparability before and after treatment, clarifying the treatment results for the patient and determining if there is a need to modify the treatment plan during the process.

Thirdly, it is essential to have rehabilitation treatment goals and plans. Based on assessments, short-term and long-term rehabilitation plans must be developed for the patient to achieve certain rehabilitation objectives.

Fourth, the principle of gradual progression must be adhered to in rehabilitation treatment. It should not be rushed, and active participation from both the patient and their family members is crucial, incorporating daily life and exercise opportunities.

Fifth, rehabilitation treatment primarily involves comprehensive therapy, which includes physical exercise, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and traditional rehabilitation treatments such as acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as psychological therapy, rehabilitation engineering, and assistive devices.

Sixth, conventional pharmacological treatments and necessary surgical interventions are involved. These include essential medications that must be used, and when rehabilitation methods alone cannot restore function, appropriate medical advice from relevant departments should be considered, and surgical treatment may be needed to assist the patient in better recovery.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
41sec home-news-image

What is the goal of rehabilitation during the acute phase of a stroke?

Rehabilitation goals during the acute phase of stroke. In the acute phase, we usually can intervene with rehabilitation treatment 48 hours after the patient’s vital signs have stabilized. The main goals of rehabilitation during the acute phase are to prevent complications such as pressure ulcers, atelectasis pneumonia, urinary tract infections, deep vein thrombosis, and muscle atrophy. Additionally, it aims to improve impaired neurological functions such as sensory, motor, and speech therapies, and to enhance the patient’s ability for self-care and mobility.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
1min 16sec home-news-image

Stroke Rehabilitation Treatment Plan

In the rehabilitation treatment of stroke patients, we first need to conduct a comprehensive rehabilitation assessment, evaluating the patient's current primary clinical symptoms, nutritional status, and rehabilitation functional impairments. Based on the results of the assessment, we determine the patient's main functional impairments, targeting a series of functional impairments such as mobility, hand function, as well as speech and swallowing disorders. We adopt a series of therapeutic interventions including exercise therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, swallowing therapy, speech therapy, psychological therapy, rehabilitation engineering, and rehabilitation nursing. Generally speaking, through evaluation, we develop a personalized rehabilitation treatment plan for the patient, comprehensively promoting the patient's overall recovery, improving the patient’s ability to live independently, and helping them return to their families, society, and work positions as soon as possible.

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Written by Sheng Wang
Neurology
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Causes of Dysphagia after Stroke

The causes of dysphagia resulting from a stroke are largely related to the location of the stroke. Dysphagia mainly involves the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, which are distributed in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem. Therefore, if you have a brainstem stroke, specifically at the medulla oblongata, there is a significant chance of experiencing coughing due to aspiration and dysphagia. If the stroke occurs in a different area, these symptoms are unlikely to appear. A stroke in the cerebral hemisphere, since it has bilateral nerve supply, does not lead to noticeable coughing if only one side is affected. However, if one side is affected this year and the other side next year, similar symptoms of aspiration cough and dysphagia will occur. Therefore, neurologically, the location and specific site of the stroke are crucial, as each location presents different symptoms.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Symptoms of stroke vary greatly, and it is crucial to judge based on the circumstances. The symptoms are mainly divided into two major categories: hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. The most common symptoms of hemorrhagic stroke are severe headaches, projectile vomiting, and the gradual onset of consciousness disorders. Some people might also experience limb numbness, weakness, speech impediments, and other conditions. The most common symptoms of ischemic stroke include dizziness, limb numbness, and speech impediments; sometimes, these symptoms alternate, so it is essential to pay attention to clinical observations and focus on differential diagnosis. There are also other types of symptoms, such as cognitive decline, urinary and fecal incontinence, unstable gait, swallowing difficulties, and coughing while swallowing. Therefore, it is imperative to visit a hospital in a timely manner for testing to clearly understand the specific changes in the patient's condition at that time, thus better facilitating the patient’s recovery.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Clinical manifestations of stroke

Firstly, the patient may experience aphasia, such as not understanding others' conversations and being unable to accurately express their own opinions. Signs of facial paralysis, such as a skewed mouth, drooling, and nasolabial fold, may also appear. Secondly, limb paralysis is a common clinical symptom, generally presenting as hemiplegia. There may also be hemisensory disturbances, such as numbness on one side of the body. Thirdly, patients may experience a decline in cognitive functions, exhibiting slow reactions, reduced memory capabilities, and decreased computational skills. If a stroke affects the posterior circulation, the patient may experience symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, and hemianopia.