Muscle Strength, Function and Heart Autonomic Regulation System Recovery at the Sub-Acute Stage Post Stroke.

BACKGROUND

To compare the rate of recovery of motor and functional ability and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters during the inpatient rehabilitation period.

SUMMARY

Twenty-three patients post first stroke at the sub-acute phase underwent motor and functional ability and HRV assessments 20 and 50 days after the event. A significant improvement was noted in motor and functional ability performance during the follow-up period, while no such change was noted in the HRV parameters.

KEY MESSAGES

Patients post first-ever stroke exhibited a significant motor and functional improvement during the sub-acute phase post stroke, while no change was noted in their HRV parameters, which may imply that no significant changes in the sympatho-vagal balance took place during this period.