[Experience with the rehabilitation of stroke patients in a specialized rehabilitation polyclinic].

The success of treating 549 patients who had survived cerebral stroke and received a course of therapy at a specialized rehabilitation outpatient clinic has demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of rehabilitation in outpatient conditions. Comparison of the results of treatment in the study (139 patients) and the control (100 patients) groups offers a good idea as to the social significance of such rehabilitation. 75.8% of the study patients admitted for treatment immediately after the acute stage of the disease were found capable of working (including subjects with minimal disability), whereas the corresponding figure in the control group was only 16%. A new organizational structure, a neurologic outpatient rehabilitation department, providing combined biological and psychosocial methods of treatment is discussed. The principles of the design of the therapeutic and restorative process including psycho- and physiotherapy, as well as special methods of exercise therapy and occupational therapy are presented.