Predictors of Gains During Inpatient Rehabilitation in Patients with Stroke � A Review

And if you idiots would think for just a little bit you would realize that stopping  the neuronal cascade of death resulting in less dead and damaged neurons would be the most helpful thing to do rather that figure out which ineffective stroke therapy is the worst.
http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/757fcb0219d89390,forthcoming,8120.html

Enoch Chang
University of California, Irvine

Eric Chang
University of California, Irvine

Samantha Cragg
University of California, Irvine

Steven Cramer
University of California, Irvine

ABSTRACT

Stroke remains a major cause of disability. The cost of stroke rehabilitation is substantial. Understanding the factors that predict response to inpatient stroke rehabilitation may be useful, for example, to best individualize the content of therapy, or to maximize the efficiency with which resources are directed. This review reviewed the literature and found that numerous variables were associated with outcome after inpatient stroke rehabilitation. The strongest evidence exists for factors such as age, stroke subtype, nutritional status, psychosocial factors such as living with family prior to stroke or presence of a caregiver. Functional status on admission, urinary incontinence, post-stroke infection, and aphasia each can also impact prognosis. Strengths and weaknesses of cited studies are considered in an attempt to inform design of future studies examining the factors that predict response to inpatient rehabilitation after stroke.