The amount of rehabilitation is associated with physical gains in elderly patients with stroke in

This study investigated if the amount of rehabilitation is related to physical gains in elderly patients with stroke. Researchers suggested that a longer rehabilitation time per week was associated with increased physical capacity.

A stroke occurs when blood flow is cut off to an area of the brain. When this happens brain cells no longer receive oxygen and begin to die. The abilities controlled by these cells are lost. This leads to symptoms such as weakness of an arm or leg.

Patients with stroke need to receive at least 3 hours of therapy for at least 5 days or at least 15 hours over 7 days. In Japan, the amount of therapy covered by insurance is limited. However, prior studies showed that the amount of therapy that a patient receives is related to physical and movement gains.

It is still not clear if the amount of therapy in elderly patients with stroke affects their physical gains.

This study included information about 2325 elderly patients with stroke. Functional outcomes were evaluated.

862 (37.1%) patients received therapy for more than 15 hours per week. Patients from this group had a longer hospital stay, more physical therapy, occupational and speech therapy. This group showed a significantly higher movement ability when compared to the standard treatment group.

This study concluded that a longer rehabilitation time per week is associated with increased physical gains in elderly patients with stroke.

This study only included patients in Japan. More studies in more diverse populations are needed.