COVID-19 has a big impact on individuals and society as a whole. Especially persons with (multiple) comorbidities such as stroke are affected. The impact of COVID-19 on stroke rehabilitation delivery and stroke patients' functioning is unclear.
With 16'000 patients hospitalized and with new permanent disability in approximately 7'000
individuals every year in Switzerland, stroke has a major impact on quality of life and is an
enormous socioeconomic burden. Virtually all patients receive inpatient rehabilitation in the
sub-acute phase poststroke. However, also in the later phases poststroke, patients receive
rehabilitation interventions in outpatient rehabilitation clinics and private practices, with
goal to improve or maintain their functional capacity.
Currently, Switzerland finds itself in an extraordinary situation. The Federal Council has
issued a series of measures aimed at the population, organizations and institutions, and the
cantons. The aim is to curb the spread of the coronavirus and assure the provision of
healthcare. The people are invoked to stay at home and only leave the home if absolutely
necessary. If they are over the age of 65 or have an underlying medical condition, the
Federal Council strongly recommend that you stay at home under any circumstances unless you
have to go to the doctor.
With the recommendation of the Swiss Federal Council almost all stroke patients belong to the
group who should stay home. Furthermore, all outpatient rehabilitation clinics have reduced
the interventions to a minimum. It is unknown how a sudden stop of rehabilitation influences
the stroke patients' functional capacities and their perceived quality of life.
Behavioral: Observation
Observation of intensity of rehabilitation therapy, daily life upper limb use, physical activi-ty engagement, patient-reported quality of life, and motor outcome after stroke
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke, confirmed by MRI-DWI and/or CT
- Participating in a stroke research project before the Lockdown (ESTREL - BASEC Nr.
2018-02021/ RE-USE - BASEC-Nr. 2017-01070)
- Age 18 years or older
- Verbal and written informed consent of the patient after participants' information
Exclusion Criteria:
- Severe communication or cognitive deficits, that cause inability to follow the
procedures
University Hospital Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland
Andreas R Luft, Prof, Study Chair
University of Zurich