Priorities for stroke rehabilitation and research: results of a 2003 Canadian Stroke Network consensus conference.

The Canadian Stroke Network Consensus Conference panel met in 2003 in Toronto, Canada, to address areas of stroke rehabilitation that require additional research as well as increased efforts to knowledge translation. The results of an extensive literature review, of a study of factors related to poststroke quality of life, and a survey of clinicians were presented to the panel. From this review, the panel compiled a consensus list of 5 priority areas in stroke rehabilitation research that warrant further investigation. The priorities are: (1) multimodal programs for reintegration into the community; (2) rehabilitation of patients with severe strokes; (3) the ideal timing and intensity of aphasia therapy; (4) cognitive rehabilitation; and (5) and the timing and intensity of rehabilitation after mild-to-moderate stroke. The panel recommended that agencies that fund research create special competitions to support large, multicenter randomized controlled studies to investigate these areas of research. In addition, the panel identified 3 priority areas for knowledge translation where research was convincing: (1) lower-extremity (leg) interventions; (2) upper-extremity (arm) interventions; and (3) detection of clients who are at risk of complications, specifically depression, dysphagia, or cognitive impairment, as well as those at risk for falls and pressure ulcers.