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Optimising rehabilitation and recovery after a stroke
  1. Guendalina B Bonifacio1,
  2. Nick S Ward2,3,
  3. Hedley C A Emsley4,
  4. Jon Cooper5,
  5. Julie Bernhardt6
  1. 1 Neurology, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
  2. 2 Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, London, UK
  3. 3 Department of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
  4. 4 Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster, UK
  5. 5 Stroke Medicine, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
  6. 6 Stroke Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health - Austin Campus, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Guendalina B Bonifacio, Neurology, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, Hampshire, UK; guendabonifacio{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Stroke can cause significant disability and impact quality of life. Multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation that meets individual needs can help to optimise recovery. Rehabilitation is essential for best quality care but should start early, be ongoing and involve effective teamwork. We describe current stroke rehabilitation processes, from the hyperacute setting through to inpatient and community rehabilitation, to long-term care and report on which UK quality care standards are (or are not) being met. We also examine the gap between what stroke rehabilitation is recommended and what is being delivered, and suggest areas for further improvement.

  • STROKE
  • REHABILITATION
  • CEREBROVASCULAR
  • CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE

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Footnotes

  • Contributors GBB and JB drafted the manuscript. GBB edited the manuscript and online supplemental material and revised the manuscript for intellectual content. JB edited and revised the manuscript for intellectual content. All the authors participated in the critical revision of the manuscript.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally reviewed by Phil Clatworthy, Bristol, UK and David Werring, London, UK.

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