Stroke Recovery

The process of regaining physical, cognitive, and communicative abilities lost or impaired following a stroke (cerebrovascular accident). Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability, with survivors often experiencing hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body), loss of fine motor control, aphasia (language difficulties), cognitive impairment, and fatigue. Rehabilitation typically begins within 24-48 hours of the stroke and involves intensive physical therapy (5-10 hours per week for 12+ weeks), occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Key approaches include Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), which forces use of the affected limb. Technology-assisted rehabilitation using virtual reality, gaming systems (Kinect, Wii), robotics, and telerehabilitation has shown promise in increasing engagement and enabling home-based therapy, addressing the high abandonment rates associated with traditional outpatient rehabilitation due to travel burden and boredom.