This issue of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinics will focus on stroke rehabilitation and will include articles such as: Mechanisms of stroke recovery, Insights from basic sciences, Stroke recovery and predictors of rehabilitation outcomes, Upper limb motor impairments, Post-stroke spasticity, Communication disorders and dysphagia, Neuropharmacology of Recovery, Robotic therapy, and many more.

Owing to the complex nature of neurological disease and trauma, comprehensive and standardized assessments are needed to evaluate individuals effectively. No one standardized assessment is applicable for every situation as each test serves a different purpose. Assessments are either generic or disease specific. However, in neurological rehabilitation, most assessments are disease specific as the generic measures may not be precise for outcomes. This chapter outlines some of the challenges and considerations that the test administrator needs to consider when selecting the most appropriate and corresponding assessment. Four key factors are suggested for determining which assessment to use:

A Doody's Core Title 2012 Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation is the new gold standard comprehensive guide to the management of stroke patients. Beginning with detailed information on risk factors, epidemiology, prevention, and neurophysiology, the book details the acute and long-term treatment of all stroke-related impairments and complications. Additional sections discuss psychological issues, outcomes, community reintegration, and new research. Written by dozens of acknowledged leaders in the field, and containing hundreds of tables, graphs, and photographic images, Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation features: The first full-length discussion of the most commonly-encountered component of neurorehabilitation Multi-specialty coverage of issues in rehabilitation, neurology, PT, OT, speech therapy, and nursing Focus on therapeutic management of stroke related impairments and complications An international perspective from dozens of foremost authorities on stroke Cutting edge, practical information on new developments and research trends Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation is a valuable reference for clinicians and academics in rehabilitation and neurology, and professionals in all disciplines who serve the needs of stroke survivors.

Clinical evidence clearly demonstrates that physical therapeutic measures begun as soon as possible after a stroke, often within 24 to 48 hours, greatly increase everyday competence and quality of life. Physical Therapy for the Stroke Patient: Early Stage Rehabilitation covers all the issues that physical therapists must deal with in this critical period: assessment of patients abilities; care during the acute phase; early mobilization; effects of medication; risk factors; ethical questions; and much more. It provides complete guidelines on how to examine and treat the patient, the dosage of physical therapy required, and the key differences between early and late stage rehabilitation after stroke. Special Features Information-packed chapter on Optimizing Functional Motor Recovery after Stroke, written by J. Carr and R. Shepherd, pioneers in the field and the first to correlate motor learning and stroke recovery Case studies throughout the book offering direct, hands-on examples of evaluation and treatment methods Nearly 150 color photographs demonstrating step-by-step physical therapy techniques used in actual practice Hundreds of references to the literature that support the evidence-based approach presented in the book For all physical and occupational therapists who must answer the question, How much therapy will help my patient?, this book provides clear, well-informed answers. Not only will it increase your therapeutic skills and confidence, but it will also expand your knowledge of the medical issues and long-term outcomes for the post-stroke patients in your care.

Evaluating the major strategies used to prevent stroke recurrence, such as antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, this reference assesses the efficacy of pharmacological interventions, therapeutic regimens, and quality of care for stroke patients-detecting risk factors and potential mechanisms of stroke to prevent functional disability and increase quality of life, independence, and psychological well-being in post-stroke management programs. Considers the complex issue of cost vs. benefit in post-stroke rehabilitation. Addressing common dysfunctions that occur after stroke, including motor impairment, neurobehavioral changes, cognitive loss, emotional disorders, and dementia, Long-Term Effects of Stroke discusses the patterns and epidemiology of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke the development of neurobiologically based therapeutic strategies the possible emergence of depression, anxiety, mania, and psychosis after stroke pharmacological and cell-based modalities to enhance stroke recovery Offering perspectives from leading international authorities in the field, Long-Term Effects of Stroke is a unique and valuable guide for clinical neurologists; cardiologists; cardiovascular specialists; cardiac, cardiovascular, and vascular surgeons; neurosurgeons; primary care, family practice, emergency room, and internal medicine physicians; physiologists; nurses, paramedical, and emergency medical personnel; and medical school students in these disciplines.

Practical and concise, Stroke Rehabilitation provides everyday clinical guidance on current methods, techniques, evidence, and controversies in this important area. This focused resource by Drs. Richard Wilson and Preeti Raghavan consolidates today's available information in an easy-to-navigate format for today's practicing and trainee physiatrists, as well as other members of the rehabilitation team. - Covers the complete spectrum of stroke rehabilitation – from aphasia to limb impairment to pain syndromes – to facilitate the best outcomes and highest quality of life for your patients. - Discusses prevention, predictors of recovery, medication management, depression and psychological issues, and return to work and driving. - Includes coverage of robotic technology, brain stimulation, community-based rehabilitation, and children and stroke.

Learn to confidently manage the growing number of stroke rehabilitation clients with Gillen's Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function-Based Approach, 4th Edition. Using a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, this text remains the only comprehensive, evidence-based stroke rehabilitation resource for occupational therapists. The new edition has been extensively updated with the latest information, along with more evidence-based research added to every chapter. As with previous editions, this comprehensive reference uses an application-based method that integrates background medical information, samples of functionally based evaluations, and current treatment techniques and intervention strategies. Evidence-based clinical trials and outcome studies clearly outline the basis for stroke interventions. UNIQUE! Survivor's Perspectives help readers understand the stroke rehabilitation process from the client'' point-of-view. UNIQUE! Case studies challenge readers to apply rehabilitation concepts to realistic scenarios. UNIQUE! A multidisciplinary approach highlights discipline-specific distinctions in stroke rehabilitation among occupation and physical therapists, physicians, and speech-language pathologists. Review questions in each chapter help readers assess their understanding of rehabilitation concepts. Key terms and chapter objectives at the beginning of each chapter help readers study more efficiently. Three new chapters broaden your understanding of stroke intervention in the areas of Using Technology to Improve Limb Function, Managing Speech and Language Deficits after Stroke, and Parenting after Stroke. Learning activities and interactive references on a companion Evolve Resources website help you review textbook content and locate additional information.