[Rehabilitation of cerebral apoplexy--results based on 156 patients]

156 stroke patients were followed-up over a period of up to twelve months from the event. During that period they had participated repeatedly, or continually, in comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation programmes at the Bad Schallerbach rehabilitation centre, Austria. The services provided were characterized by a comprehensive medical, vocational and social orientation. Rehabilitation outcome assessment related to personal functioning levels (ADL performance, intellectual functioning, communication, social behaviour, etc.) as well as the basic working capacity. Based on medical findings, the results stated toward the end of our comprehensive rehabilitative efforts showed improvements of personal functioning by about 66 percent, and attainment of a basic working capacity in 22 percent of the patients. Outcomes varied for the different causes of stroke; three patients had died during the observation period due to renewed stroke. The principles to be observed in comprehensive rehabilitation are discussed, with special emphasis on those in stroke rehabilitation.