On the 4th April the new UK and Ireland National Stroke guidelines for 2023 were published. Previous guidelines were written in 2016 so were due a review.
In order to review guidelines a number of medical papers are needed to be reviewed. Experts are put together from around the UK and Ireland, these experts must be NICE (National Institute for clinical Excellence) accredited.
Almost 300 recommendations were reviewed and updated. We would like to highlight the main changes.
Download the National Clinical Guideline for Stroke 2023 edition PDF here.
People with stroke should be considered to have potential to benefit from rehab at any point after their stroke. The most significant statement is the the term ‘no rehabilitation potential’ this should not be used at any point after their stroke. This does not just refer to movement but to psychological and social etc.
Stroke units should provide specialist medical, nursing and rehab staffing levels. Patients having access to a consultant specialising in stroke rehab.
People with motor recovery goals following stroke should receive at least 3 hours a day of therapy. Delivery of this therapy can be by a qualified therapist or by a rehab assistant supervised. Therapy focused on exercise, motor retraining and functional practice. The patient receiving therapy five out of seven days. This is a significant increase in intensity from the previous guidelines.
People with stroke should be offered cardiorespiratory training once they are medically stable regardless of age, time after stroke, and severity of impairment.
If someone’s motor impairment does not allow them to exercise against gravity they should be considered for electrical stimulation
There should be links with local gyms, leisure centres and outpatient departments
We provide a service at any stage following stroke. We can provide functional electrical stimulation assessment too. For further information please contact us on 01245 377118
