There were gaps in therapeutic support despite the persistence or progression of disabilities, and multidisciplinary follow-up is essential to prevent worsening and promote recovery after ischemic stroke.
The majority of ischemic stroke survivors at two to three years post-event presented with asymptomatic or mild dysfunction, while a substantial minority had moderate to severe dysfunction.
Despite some functional improvement between 90 days and two to three years post-stroke, many patients maintained or worsened their disability.
Follow-up with healthcare professionals after ischemic stroke was limited across multiple disciplines.
Individuals with greater functional disability had more therapeutic follow-up, with a significant association specifically for physiotherapy.
The study experienced substantial attrition, with a notable proportion of the original survivor cohort dying within the three-year follow-up period.
This research followed 242 people who survived an ischemic stroke (a stroke caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain) for up to three years. By the end of the study, 155 of these individuals were still alive. The researchers looked at how much disability the survivors had at two to three years after their stroke and compared it to their disability level at 90 days, while also examining how much follow-up care they were receiving from various healthcare providers. The study found that while about 63% of survivors had mild or no disability at the two-to-three year mark, roughly 37% still had moderate to severe disability. Importantly, when comparing disability levels at 90 days versus two to three years, there was no statistically significant overall improvement across the group — meaning many people either stayed the same or got worse over time. Access to follow-up care was limited: fewer than half saw a physiotherapist, only about 57% saw a neurologist, just 15% had nurse follow-up, and only about 54% were receiving medication to prevent another stroke. This research suggests that there are significant gaps in the care provided to stroke survivors in the years following their event, even as many continue to live with lasting disability. People with more severe disabilities were somewhat more likely to receive physiotherapy follow-up, but overall the level of professional support was low across the board. The findings highlight the importance of coordinated, multidisciplinary care — involving neurologists, physiotherapists, nurses, and others — to help stroke survivors maintain or improve their function and avoid further decline.
Cunha B, Moraes M, Medeiros L, Santana B, Santos C, Mussi F. (2026). Therapeutic support and functional disability after ischemic stroke: a cohort study.. Revista brasileira de enfermagem. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2025-0364