Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2025
Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System
Published on: December 29, 2023
Changes in Stroke Rehabilitation during the Sars-Cov-2 Shutdown in Switzerland
Jeremia P O Held1, Anne Schwarz, Johannes Pohl
1Vascular Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. jeremia.held@uzh.ch.
Introduction:
Many stroke survivors require continuous outpatient rehabilitation therapy to maintain or improve their neurological functioning, independ-ence, and quality of life. In Switzerland and many other countries, the shutdown to contain SARS-CoV-2 infections led to mobility restrictions and a decrease in therapy delivery. This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 shutdown on stroke survivors' access to therapy, physical activity, functioning and mood.
Methods:
A prospective observational cohort study in stroke subjects. At 4 time-points (before, during, after the shutdown, and at 3-month follow-up), the amount of therapy, physical activities, motor func-tion, anxiety, and depression were assessed.
Results:
Thirty-six community-dwelling stroke subjects (median 70 years of age, 10 months post--stroke) were enrolled. Therapy reductions related to the shutdown were reported in 72% of subjects. This decrease was associated with significantly extended sedentary time and minimal deterioration in physical activity during the shutdown. Both parameters improved between reopening and 3-month follow-up. Depressive symptoms increased slightly during the observation period. Patients more frequently report-ed on self-directed training during shutdown.
Conclusion:
The COVID-19 shutdown had measurable immediate, but no persistent, effects on post--stroke outcomes, except for depression. Importantly, a 2-month reduction in therapy may trigger improvements when therapy is fully re-initiated thereafter.
