COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION OF OLDER ADULTS FOLLOWING ACUTE STROKE: EMPHASIS ON THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES AND THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

Abstract

Background. Stroke remains one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide, especially among older adults. Given the increasing incidence of CerebroVascular Accidents (CVAs) in the aging population, there is a growing need for comprehensive, individualized reha- bilitation programs that address the specific physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of elderly patients. Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise as part of a multidisciplinary reha- bilitation approach in elderly patients following an acute stroke. Materials and Methods. The study included 21 patients aged 62 to 79 years who were under- going rehabilitation following an acute CVAs in a district hospital setting. The rehabilitation pro- cess featured a seven-stage individualized program consisting of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, cognitive training, and psychosocial support. The effec- tiveness of the interventions was evaluated using standardized scales: the Modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Visual Analogue Scale, and Borg Rating of Per- ceived Exertion. Results. 76% of the participants (n=16) showed significant improvement in their overall con- dition, including reduced neurological symptoms (aphasia, hemiplegia), enhanced motor skills, better balance, improved emotional well-being, and increased independence in daily activities. The remaining 24% of patients (n=5) also demonstrated positive changes but required additional rehabilitation cycles due to limited recovery potential and complex comorbidities. Conclusions. Individualized therapeutic exercises, integrated within a multidisciplinary reha- bilitation framework, are effective in improving the physical and cognitive outcomes of elderly patients after stroke. Early initiation of rehabilitation, combined with continuous assessment and support from a multidisciplinary team, enhances functional recovery and improves the overall quality of life in this vulnerable population.