Stroke Rehabilitation in China Today

Background: Rehabilitation is cornerstone for the recovery of stroke patients. This lecture focuses on the current status of stroke rehabilitation in China. Methods: Selective review of papers published by Chinese authors. Results: A new system which is called “standardized tertiary rehabilitation” was established in China and has better effect on the recovery of motor function, cognitive function, ADL, LOQ, et al. Many novel therapies for motor rehabilitation after stroke has been used in China, such as motor imagery practice, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation virtual reality technique, mirror therapy, robotic therapy, et al. For balance training, sling exercises have been used. Electromyographic biofeedback, Catheter balloon dilatation, motor imagery therapy has been used to treat patients with dysphagia. Acupuncture treatment seems to be relatively safe and is widely used in China for stroke rehabilitation, but the evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture for stroke was inconclusive, mainly due to poor methodological quality and small samples. Conclusions: “Standardized tertiary rehabilitation” is a suitable rehabilitative care system in China. Almost all novel therapies for stroke rehabilitation have been used in China and acupuncture is a specific feature therapy.