Patient’s assessment and prediction of recovery after stroke: a roadmap for clinicians

Background and purposeIn neurorehabilitation clinical practice, assessment is usually more oriented to evaluate patient's present status, than to plan interventions according to predicted outcomes. Therefore, we conducted an extensive review of current prognostic models available in the literature for recovery prediction of many functions and constructs, after stroke. We reported results in the form of a practical guide for clinicians, with the aim of promoting the culture of early clinical assessment for patient stratification, according to expected outcome.Recommendations for clinical practiceClinical assessment should be directed both towards the objective evaluation of the present health status, and to the prediction of expected recovery. The use of specific outcome measures with predictive value is recommended to help clinicians with the definition of sound therapeutic goals.