STROKE REHABILITATION

Stroke is the leading cause of brain damage and resultant disability. Rehabilitation measures help to restore lost abilities, improve qualit y of life and decrease the long-term economic cost of stroke. Proper p atient selection, realistic goal setting, the active participation of both the patient and family, and the use of an interdisciplinary team approach are important for the success of stroke rehabilitation. Funct ional demand and intensive training are believed to trigger central ne rvous system reorganization, which is responsible for late functional recovery after stroke. The outcome following a stroke is most likely t o be positive when patients have bladder and bowel continence, are abl e to feed themselves and have a healthy and caring spouse. Stroke reha bilitation must include the prevention or early diagnosis of medical c omplications as well as patient and family education concerning the pr evention of recurrent stroke.