RESULTS Studies of task-related training showed benefits for functional outcome compared with traditional therapies .
Active use of task-oriented training with stroke survivors will lead to improvements in functional outcomes and overall health-related quality of life .
CONCLUSION Generally , task-oriented rehabilitation proved to be more effective .
Many interventions are feasible for nurses and can be performed in a ward or at home .
AIM This paper is a report of a review conducted to provide an overview of the evidence in the literature on task-oriented training of stroke survivors and its relevance in daily nursing practice .
BACKGROUND Stroke is the second leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of adult disability in the Western world .
The use of neurodevelopmental treatment in the daily nursing care of stroke survivors does not improve clinical outcomes .
Nurses are therefore exploring other forms of rehabilitation intervention , including task-oriented rehabilitation .
Despite the growing number of studies showing evidence on task-oriented interventions , recommendations for daily nursing practice are lacking .
Motor and Functional Recovery After Stroke: A Comparison of 4 European Rehabilitation Centers
Background and Purpose — Outcome after first stroke varies significantly across Europe . This study was design ed to compare motor and functional recovery after stroke between four European rehabilitation centers . Methods — Consecutive stroke patients ( 532 patients ) were recruited . They were assessed on admission and at 2 , 4 , and 6 months after stroke with the Barthel Index , Rivermead Motor Assessment of Gross Function , Rivermead Motor Assessment of Leg/Trunk , Rivermead Motor Assessment of Arm , and Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living  ( except on admission ) . Data were analyzed using r and om effects ordinal logistic models adjusting for case-mix and multiple testing . Results — Patients in the UK center were more likely to stay in lower Rivermead Motor Assessment of Gross Function classes compared with patients in the German center ( & Dgr;OR , 2.4 ; 95 % CI , 1.3 to 4.3 ) . In the Swiss center , patients were less likely to stay in lower Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living classes compared with patients in the UK center ( & Dgr;OR , 0.7 ; 95 % CI , 0.5 to 0.9 ) . The latter were less likely to stay in lower Barthel Index classes compared with the patients in the German center ( & Dgr;OR , 0.6 ; 95%CI , 0.4 to 0.8 ) . Recovery patterns of Rivermead Motor Assessment of Leg/Trunk and Rivermead Motor Assessment of Arm were not significantly different between centers . Conclusions — Gross motor and functional recovery were better in the German and Swiss centers compared with the UK center , respectively . Personal self-care recovery was better in the UK compared with the German center . Previous studies in the same centers indicated that German and Swiss patients received more therapy per day . This was not the result of more staff but of a more efficient use of human re sources . This study indicates potential for improving rehabilitation outcomes in the UK and Belgian centers
RESULTS Studies of task-related training showed benefits for functional outcome compared with traditional therapies .
Active use of task-oriented training with stroke survivors will lead to improvements in functional outcomes and overall health-related quality of life .
CONCLUSION Generally , task-oriented rehabilitation proved to be more effective .
Many interventions are feasible for nurses and can be performed in a ward or at home .
AIM This paper is a report of a review conducted to provide an overview of the evidence in the literature on task-oriented training of stroke survivors and its relevance in daily nursing practice .
BACKGROUND Stroke is the second leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of adult disability in the Western world .
The use of neurodevelopmental treatment in the daily nursing care of stroke survivors does not improve clinical outcomes .
Nurses are therefore exploring other forms of rehabilitation intervention , including task-oriented rehabilitation .
Despite the growing number of studies showing evidence on task-oriented interventions , recommendations for daily nursing practice are lacking .