Recovery of Gait and Sensorimotor Deficit in Post-stroke Patient After Early Intensive Rehabilitation

Restoring walking abilities is a critical goal of post-stroke neurorehabilitation. The aim of this study was to assess recovery of gait and sensorimotor deficit after intensive rehabilitation in early subacute phase in first ever stroke patients. All 27 participants included in the study were divided into dependent or independent walker group and followed two-week intensive rehabilitation program including add-on robot-assisted or treadmill gait training. Before and after intensive rehabilitation the sensorimotor function using Fugl Meyer Assessment for Lower Limb and 10 Meters-walking test were assessed. In our study both sensorimotor deficit and gait speed improved. Both dependent and independent walkers early after stroke have great potential to increase the walking speed and level of independence after intensive rehabilitation programme including add-on gait training. These results support previous findings that the early subacute period offers an optimal time window for achieving maximal therapeutic effect of neurorehabilitation.