[Strategies in rehabilitation after stroke]

The rehabilitation of stroke patients should be initiated early on in the hospital admitting them, and then be continued in a specialist hospital or rehabilitation center, where applicable on an outpatient basis over the long term. Although the major improvements occur within the first 3 to 6 months, they may also occur beyond this period. Since, in the individual case, the results of treatment cannot be reliably predicted, every stroke patient should be sent for rehabilitation whenever possible. Treatment is oriented to the respective functional disorders, and is conducted by an interdisciplinary team headed by a physician. Even in cases with a severe residual deficiency syndrome, the chances of achieving at least partial independence with respect to daily activities, in particular walking, are favorable. The facilities for outpatient rehabilitation should be improved and self-aid groups, as also the training of relatives, promoted.