Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a comprehensive
outpatient rehabilitation program combining secondary prevention and
neurorehabilitation to improve vascular risk factors, neurologic functions, and
health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients surviving a transient ischemic
attack (TIA) or stroke with minor or no residual deficits. DESIGN: Prospective
interventional single-center cohort study. SETTING: University hospital.
PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive consenting patients having sustained a TIA or stroke
with 1 or more vascular risk factors (N=105) were included. INTERVENTIONS:
Three-month hospital-based secondary prevention and neurorehabilitation
outpatient program with therapeutic and educational sessions twice a week.
Patients were evaluated at entry and program end. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Impact
on vascular risk factors, neurological outcome, and HRQOL. RESULTS: A total of
105 patients entered the program and 95 patients completed it. Exercise capacity
(P<.000), smoking status (P=.001), systolic (P=.001) and diastolic (P=.008) blood
pressure, body mass index (P=.005), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=.03),
and triglycerides (P=.001) improved significantly. Furthermore, the
9-Hole-Peg-Test (P<.000), Six-minute Walking Test (P<.000), and One Leg Stand
Test (P<.011) values as well as HRQOL improved significantly. The program could
be easily integrated into an existing cardiovascular prevention and
rehabilitation center and was feasible and highly accepted by patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive combined cardiovascular and neurologic outpatient
rehabilitation is feasible and effective to improve vascular risk factors,
neurologic functions, and HRQOL in patients surviving TIA or stroke with minor or
no residual deficits.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS