Motor function recovery in patients after ischemic stroke

Abstract

Secondary prevention of recurrent stroke and other cardiovascular diseases is of key importance for the management of a patient after ischemic stroke. Medications (antihypertensive, antiplatelet, or anticoagulant drugs and statins) are recommended for use; and a small proportion of patients should undergo surgical treatment (carotid endarterectomy); non-drug treatments (smoking cessation and alcohol abstinence, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and increased physical activity) are of great importance. Movement disorders are seen in 80% of patients after a stroke and are the leading cause of disability. Therapeutic exercises aimed at training movements in the paretic limbs and at preventing the development of contractures are of utmost importance in post-stroke movement disorders. The use of citicoline to improve motor function recovery is discussed.

Keywords

• ischemic stroke
• secondary stroke prevention
• post-stroke movement disorders
• paresis
• therapeutic exercises
• citicoline