Effectiveness of Physiotherapy in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is one of the major causes of disability, in which millions of individuals are being affected annually. Rehabilitation after the stroke, especially physiotherapy plays a crucial role in motor recovery, body force, balance, as well as to increase the quality of life. The effectiveness of stroke recovery through physiotherapy interventions like task-specific training, early mobilization training and strength training has been studied widely. Although this has a lot of positive effects, the best timing, intensity, and form of physiotherapy is under research. Aim: The purpose of the research is to determine the efficacy of physiotherapy treatment during post stroke rehabilitation in regards to motor deficit, gait, recovery of the upper limb and quality of the long-term results. Comprising evidence found in the randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and meta-analysis studies, the review will aim at being as comprehensive as possible when examining the role of physiotherapy in a stroke recovery. Methodology: The research was based on a systematic review of the latest articles published between 2010 and 2025. The inclusion criteria were oriented to RCTs, cohort studies, and meta-analyses concerning the physiotherapy interventions on stroke patients in the acute and subacute stage. The search of the data was conducted in various sources, such as PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus databases, under the terms of post-stroke rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Results: All findings conclude that early physiotherapy treatment notably results in improvement in motor coordination, position, and technique. Quick recovery is also possible due to high intensity physiotherapy. The results of long-term follow-up ascertained that the gains achieved through consistent rehabilitation are maintained, despite the fact that after 612 months some plateau effects were reported. The training on the basis of virtual reality revealed similar results in comparison with traditional therapies, as well as the use of the robotic therapy was effective but was not superior in comparison with the conventional one. Nonetheless, some negative outcomes, including fatigue, falls, and muscle pain, had been observed and it is stated that personalized and supervised treatment is advisable. Conclusion: Physiotherapy plays an important role in post-stroke recovery and greatly enhances the effects of recovery in cases where therapy is commenced timely and is maintained on a regular basis. Although this has led to positive short-term results, further studies should aim at the improvement of physiotherapy protocols and long-term consequences. Multidisciplinary is the way to go to obtain maximum recovery and stroke survivors should have access to all kinds of care.