Other recommendations include:

-Intense mobility-task training after stroke for all survivors with walking limitations to relearn activities such as climbing stairs.


-Individually tailored exercise program so survivors can safely continue to improve their cardiovascular fitness through the proper exercise and physical activity after formal rehabilitation is complete.

-An enriched environment (which might include a computer, books, music and virtual reality games) to increase engagement and cognitive activities during rehabilitation. There is not yet enough research to determine whether specific promising new techniques, such as activity monitors and virtual reality games, are effective at helping patients.

-Speech therapy for those with difficulty speaking following a stroke.


Eye exercises for survivors with difficulty focusing on near objects.

-Balance training program for survivors with poor balance, or who are at risk for falls.

“For a person to fulfill their full potential after stroke, there needs to be a coordinated effort and ongoing communication between a team of professionals as well as the patient, family and caregivers,” Winstein said.

The new scientific statement is the eighth set of stroke guidelines from the American Stroke Association, completing the association’s recommendations for the continuum of care for stroke patients and their families.

Co-authors are Joel Stein, M.D., vice-chair; Ross Arena, Ph.D., P.T.; Barbara Bates, M.D., M.B.A.; Leora R. Cherney, Ph.D.; Steven C. Cramer, M.D.; Frank Deruyter, Ph.D.; Janice J. Eng, Ph.D., B.Sc.; Beth Fisher, Ph.D., P.T.; Richard L. Harvey, M.D.; Catherine E. Lang, Ph.D., P.T.; Marilyn MacKay-Lyons, B.Sc.; M.Sc.P.T., Ph.D.; Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, Ph.D., O.T.R.; Sue Pugh, M.S.N., R.N., C.N.S.-B.C.; Mathew J. Reeves, Ph.D., D.V.M.; Lorie G. Richards, Ph.D., O.T.R./L.; William Stiers, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. (R.P.); Richard D. Zorowitz, M.D.; on behalf of the American Heart Association Stroke Council, Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, Council on Clinical Cardiology, and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

Additional Resources:

-Stroke therapy images and stroke graphics are located in the right column of the release link http://newsroom.heart.org/news/in-patient-rehab-recommended-over-nursing-homes-for-stroke-rehab?preview=7567614171923a0bae011f535889cb45

-After May 4, view the manuscript online.

-Tips For Daily Living After Stroke

-Stroke Warmline -- connects stroke survivors and their families with an American Stroke Association team member who can provide support

-Follow AHA/ASA news on Twitter @HeartNews.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the association’s science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, is available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

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