[Conceptual basis of rehabilitation of patients with stroke]

The authors describe the basis of the current concept of rehabilitation of patients with stroke. This concept is based on recent neurophysiological findings about the processes of information, learning, and memory. This indicates that the plasticity of cerebral structures depends especially on the possibilities either to rebuild or to compensate for destroyed structures with programs of rehabilitation. A comparison is given of 101 stroke patients rehabilitated according to a conventional program and the better results for 295 stroke victims rehabilitated according to a more modern rehabilitation program. Another investigation showed, as an example of the Babinsky phenomenon, that stroke patients can develop the ability to suppress. The results and dynamics of rehabilitation of stroke are an encouragement to continue researching new ways for more effective rehabilitation.