Overview of Post-Stroke Sequelae

Stroke is an acute cerebrovascular disorder, classified into ischemic and hemorrhagic types. About 80% of strokes are caused by ischemic infarctions, while 20% result from cerebral hemorrhage. Although timely emergency treatment can save lives, most patients still experience varying degrees of sequelae. Common symptoms include hemiplegia, aphasia, dysphagia, and cognitive decline. Without scientific rehabilitation in the early stages, neurological recovery becomes difficult and may lead to lifelong disability. Diagnosis and treatment require imaging studies and functional evaluations to clarify the location and extent of damage.

Global Incidence

In Western countries such as the United States, about 800,000 people suffer strokes annually, and more than 30% are left with varying degrees of functional impairment, requiring long-term rehabilitation. Germany, the UK, and other countries have relatively well-developed stroke rehabilitation systems, emphasizing community rehabilitation and family care support.

In Southeast Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, the incidence of stroke is increasing annually, with a trend toward younger patients. Due to uneven distribution of rehabilitation resources, management of sequelae in rural and primary care areas is insufficient, leading to decreased quality of life and increased social burden.

Main Harms

1. Motor dysfunction

Stroke often causes hemiplegia or limb weakness, affecting basic activities such as walking and standing. Even after initial treatment, many patients require long-term rehabilitation, and normal gait recovery remains difficult.

2. Speech and swallowing disorders

Damage to the speech center or nerves controlling throat muscles can lead to aphasia, dysarthria, or dysphagia, impairing communication and eating. Severe cases may result in aspiration pneumonia.

3. Cognitive and psychological problems

Patients often suffer from memory decline and poor concentration. Some may also experience emotional distress, anxiety, or post-stroke depression, which further hinders rehabilitation.

4. Decline in daily living ability

Basic self-care abilities such as dressing, toileting, and eating are limited, requiring caregiver assistance. This not only increases family burden but also restricts social participation and independence.

Emerging Treatments

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell technology offers new hope for treating post-stroke sequelae by repairing damaged neural tissue. This therapy has been applied in clinical rehabilitation in several countries and shows strong potential for nerve regeneration.

① Promotes neural regeneration: Stem cells can differentiate into neurons, helping rebuild damaged neural circuits.

② Improves local blood supply: Encourages new blood vessel formation and improves cerebral circulation.

③ Reduces inflammatory response: Suppresses post-stroke brain inflammation and reduces secondary injury.

④ Accelerates functional recovery: When combined with conventional rehabilitation, it facilitates faster recovery of speech and motor function.

⑤ Applicable to multiple stroke types: Effective for sequelae of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.

Conventional Treatments

1. Traditional rehabilitation training

Physical and occupational therapy serve as the basis of intervention, with repetitive limb training promoting neural remodeling. Training includes gait training, muscle strength recovery, and maintaining joint mobility.

2. Speech and swallowing rehabilitation

Speech therapy involves pronunciation and expression training, while swallowing rehabilitation includes stimulating pharyngeal reflexes and progressive feeding to improve swallowing function.

3. Medication

Neurotrophic drugs, antidepressants, and other medications help improve cerebral blood supply, promote nerve repair, and alleviate emotional problems, enhancing rehabilitation compliance.

4. Neuromodulation therapy

Non-invasive techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional electrical stimulation regulate brain activity, enhancing rehabilitation outcomes and improving motor and cognitive functions.

5. Psychological intervention and social support

Post-stroke patients face high psychological stress. Family support and counseling are indispensable. Group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and family involvement in rehabilitation programs significantly increase recovery rates.

Conclusion

Post-stroke sequelae pose serious threats to patients’ quality of life and social function. Experts at United Life International Medical Center point out that scientific evaluation of the condition and the integration of stem cell therapy with comprehensive rehabilitation measures are key to improving functional recovery and quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent irreversible damage.