Assessment in acute stroke rehabilitation

Abstract

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, preceded by cancer and heart disease. Stroke is the primary cause of adult disability in the USA according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and stroke survivors represent the largest diagnostic category of referrals to rehabilitation hospitals. Neuropsychologists who work in acute stroke rehabilitation settings require a broad range of skills. They must be knowledgeable and competent in neuropsychology, rehabilitation psychology, and health psychology in order to provide effective assistance to their three principal constituencies: stroke patients, their family caregivers, and the stroke rehabilitation treatment team. Neuropsychologists assist these constituencies by managing the physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, sexual, and vocational consequences of stroke. This chapter provides a primer on stroke and suggestions are provided for effective neuropsychological practice in the acute rehabilitation hospital setting.