MAINTAINING LONG-TERM OUTCOMES AFTER REHABILITATION IN STROKE PATIENTS

Introduction. The global burden of stroke is extremely high: in 2020, stroke was the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability. In the Russian Federation, 430,000 to 470,000 stroke cases are registered per year. In the acute phase after stroke, approximately 60-80% of survivors have motor impairments of the upper or lower extremities. About 40% of people with right hemisphere stroke and 20% of patients with left hemisphere stroke have visual and spatial perception impairments.
The aim of the study is to summarize current literature data and assess the role of rehabilitation in the long term, as well as to identify knowledge gaps that require further research.
Material and methods. The authors searched for publications in the electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar and ELibrary. The search was conducted using the following keywords in Russian and English: "stroke", "rehabilitation after stroke", "psychosocial well-being", "long-term outcomes after stroke", "self-management support", "stroke rehabilitation", "self-management support", "family-centered approach". The search time interval was from 1994 to 2025.
Results and discussion. Optimization of social support can help prevent affective disorders and integrate people after a stroke into society. Despite the positive theoretical aspects of using virtual reality technologies, the evidence base for their effectiveness requires more research.
Today, more and more data indicate the high effectiveness of complex measures combining informational, psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral components to support representatives surrounding patients after a stroke. Integrating the principles of cultural safety into the rehabilitation system not only increases the effectiveness of medical care, but also helps eliminate the systemic barriers that underlie long-term inequalities in health care.
Conclusion. The global burden of stroke remains a significant public health problem, with the potential to worsen, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To ensure the best long-term outcomes after stroke, fundamental changes in the way rehabilitation care is perceived and delivered are needed.