[Intervention for apoplexy patients discharged from hospital. Physical training: a literature review]

Abstract

Stroke is among the leading causes of disability in Denmark. Rehabilitation services are in the process of being reorganised into dedicated stroke units. There is a general tendency toward reduction of length of in-patient treatment. The literature on outpatient rehabilitation services following primary rehabilitation on an inpatient basis was reviewed. The results of 16 randomised studies indicate that: 1) Continued rehabilitation after discharge can improve functional capacity of disabled stroke survivors; 2) Home-based rehabilitation is as effective as hospital-based outpatient rehabilitation; 3) Early supported discharge (ESD) services can reduce length of hospital stay but the relative advantages and drawbacks remain unclear. Ongoing rehabilitation by teams specialised in stroke rehabilitation seems to be crucial. More research, including evaluation of home-based rehabilitation services, is called for and existing outpatient rehabilitation services should be evaluated scientifically.