Efficacy of Early Task-Oriented Rehabilitation in Acute Stroke Recovery

Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide, and early rehabilitation is considered crucial for improving functional recovery. Traditional physiotherapy mainly focuses on mobility, strength, and general exercises, while task-oriented rehabilitation emphasizes practicing meaningful, goal-directed activities related to daily life. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of early task-oriented rehabilitation compared to traditional rehabilitation in acute stroke patients. Patients admitted with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within 48 hours will be randomly assigned to either a task-oriented rehabilitation program or conventional physiotherapy. Interventions will be delivered 3-4 times per week, 45-60 minutes per session, during hospitalization and continued in outpatient follow-up. The primary outcome will be functional independence assessed at 3 months. Secondary outcomes will include stroke severity, quality of life, and patient-reported outcomes. The findings are expected to provide evidence for improving rehabilitation strategies in Egypt.