Name
#164 Introduction to the 2024 VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Stroke Rehabilitation
Speakers
Content Presented on Behalf of
VHA/VA
Services/Agencies represented
Defense Health Agency (DHA), Veterans Health Administration/Veterans Affairs (VHA/VA)
Session Type
Posters
Room#/Location
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Focus Areas/Topics
Clinical Care
Learning Outcomes
Following this session, the attendee will be able to:
1. Describe how Clinical Practice Guidelines are developed,
2. List key elements for transitions to community,
3. Identify best practices for motor therapy for stroke rehabilitation,
4. Identify best practices to address dysphagia, aphagia and cognition for stroke rehabilitation,
5. Identify best practices to address mental health concerns for patients who have experienced a stroke.
1. Describe how Clinical Practice Guidelines are developed,
2. List key elements for transitions to community,
3. Identify best practices for motor therapy for stroke rehabilitation,
4. Identify best practices to address dysphagia, aphagia and cognition for stroke rehabilitation,
5. Identify best practices to address mental health concerns for patients who have experienced a stroke.
Session Currently Live
Description
The VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the Management of Stroke Rehabilitation was updated in 2024. This poster will assist healthcare teams to better understand how the guideline was developed, how to use it, and which interventions can provide the most benefit to their patients. Federal health professionals will be able to use this information to provide best practices in stroke rehabilitation.
Stroke is major cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability worldwide. Stroke is also a pervasive medical condition, impacting nearly 800,000 individuals annually in the United States (U.S.) with approximately 75% constituting first-time occurrences and the remaining 25% being recurrent strokes. Roughly 3% of the U.S. population has experienced a stroke, and projections indicate a potential rise to 4% by the year 2030. Stroke stands as the fifth most prevalent cause of mortality in the U.S. accounting for one out of every 21 deaths in the nation, and alarmingly, there is a stroke-related death approximately every 3 minutes and 17 seconds. Furthermore, stroke is a leading contributor to long-term disability with approximately 45% of individuals aged 15–50 experiencing at least moderate disability after a stroke.
The spectrum of disability resulting from stroke manifests diversely. Typical presentations may include motor weakness and sensory disturbances, impairments in speech and swallowing, vision loss or neglect, cognitive challenges involving inattention or memory loss, and emotional difficulties such as mood disorders or anxiety. Consequently, stroke survivors require tailored and timely rehabilitative interventions, aligning with their individualized needs. Rehabilitative efforts aligned with the extent of injury and the patient's clinical condition should start as soon as they are clinically feasible to maximize functional outcomes.
The focus of the current guideline is to provide primary care providers with recommendations and tools for the rehabilitation management of adult patients (18 years and older) who have experienced a stroke, with an emphasis on an interdisciplinary, holistic approach. The guideline also provides stroke specialist clinicians with guidelines for evidence-based practice.