Each year about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation's third leading cause of death. Approximately two thirds of these individuals survive and require rehabilitation. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.4 million stroke survivors alive today. Forty percent of stroke patients are left with moderate functional impairment and 15 to 30 percent with severe disability. More than 60% of those who have experienced stroke, serious injury, or a disabling disease have never received rehabilitation. Stroke rehabilitation should begin as soon as the diagnosis of stroke is established and life-threatening problems are under control. Among the high priorities for stroke are to mobilize the patient and encourage resumption of self-care activities as soon as possible. A considerable body of evidence indicates better clinical outcomes when patients with stroke are treated in a setting that provides coordinated, multidisciplinary stroke-related evaluation and services. Effective rehabilitation interventions initiated early following stroke can enhance the recovery process and minimize functional disability. The primary goal of rehabilitation is to prevent complications, minimize impairments, and maximize function.

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• American Academy of Neurology
• The Official Journal of the American Academy of Neurology
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation Helps Stroke Patients Recover Skills. AAPM&R Chicago, IL Office: http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/rehab/recover.htm.
• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Urgency Key But Perseverance Pays Off. AAPM&R Chicago, IL Office: http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/rehab/recover.htm4 - 43.
• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation Helps Stroke Patients Recover Skills Therapy Helps in Regaining Coordination, Full Speech, and Other Abilities. AAPM&R Chicago, IL Office: http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/rehab/recover.htm.
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders. Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders Bethesda, MD Office: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/poststrokerehab.htm.
• Zorowitz RD, et al, the Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes Project (PSROP), Top Stroke Rehabil. 2005 Fall;12(4).

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