Can gait outcomes be predicted early after a stroke?

Purpose: To determine the ability of clinical measures collected within 72 hours of neurological insult to predict independent gait 6 and 12 months after a stroke.

Methods: Patients with a confirmed stroke diagnosis were eligible for inclusion in this prospective cohort study. Sitting balance, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) motor leg, NIHSS motor arm, and Motricity Index (MI) were measured within 72 hours post-stroke.

Rehabilitating the neurological patient in the ICU: what is important?

Purpose Of Review: To describe recent literature evaluating the effectiveness of early rehabilitation in neurocritical care patients.

Recent Findings: There is a drive for early rehabilitation within the ICU; however, there are unique considerations for the neurocritically ill patient that include hemiplegia, cognitive impairments and impaired conscious state that can complicate rehabilitation. Additionally, neurological complications, such as hemorrhage expansion and cerebral edema can lead to the risk of further neurological damage.