Individual and co-treatment are both widely used to deliver physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) for patients admitted to the hospital for acute stroke. Studies have shown that patients with stroke who participate in hospital PT and OT have improved function upon discharge. However, there is a lack of evidence informing which patients are best suited for individual versus co-treatment, or which delivery method more effectively improves functional outcomes.
This gap in knowledge presents a unique opportunity to advance stroke rehabilitation. This study aims to compare the two approaches and their resulting functional outcomes through a randomized trial-an approach never previously undertaken-to determine whether individual or co-treatment leads to better patient recovery. The findings have the potential to optimize rehabilitation and the delivery of PT and OT for future patients with acute stroke.
