Impact of holiday rehabilitation in patients with acute stroke: a single-center retrospective study

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Continuous rehabilitation of patients with acute stroke is important for improving functional outcomes and preventing complications. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of holiday rehabilitation on the functional outcomes and complication rates of stroke survivors at the time of discharge. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 402 patients with acute stroke admitted between April 2021 and March 2024. Patients were categorized into two groups: (1) a control group that received hospitalization and rehabilitation for 5–6 days per week and (2) an intervention group that received the same therapy, supplemented with rehabilitation during holidays. The primary outcomes included the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score and complication rates. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for confounding factors. Results: The intervention group demonstrated a significantly higher rate of favorable functional outcomes (mRS≤2) at discharge compared to the control group (72.1% vs. 57.8%, p=0.012). Complication rates were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (4.5% vs. 14.9%, p=0.003). Conclusion: This study suggests that holiday rehabilitation is associated with improved functional recovery and lower complication rates in stroke survivors.