The Rehabilitation of Severe Stroke

Severe strokes often result in multiple disabilities; these patients are the most disabled stroke group and present the greatest rehabilitation challenge. Individually, patients with severe stroke incur the greatest costs to the healthcare system, primarily due to greater length of stay (LOS) in hospital and the frequent need for long-term care or institutionalization (Navarrete-Navarro et al. 2003). Research relating to the definition, classification, neuro-recovery, and rehabilitation of severe strokes is provided in this review. Clinical evidence for various severe stroke rehabilitation models are discussed (including slow-stream, intensive care unit (ICU), and specialized interdisciplinary stroke rehabilitation). Ethical issues pertaining to severe stroke are also discussed.