Early Mobilization After Stroke: Helpful or Harmful?

A randomized trial suggests no benefit, and possible harm, from mobilization within 24 hours after stroke.

After ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, early mobilization of the patient is recommended in many guidelines. Early mobilization is believed to be one of the key benefits of medical care in dedicated stroke units. However, the evidence base for this practice is fairly modest.

The AVERT trial investigators randomly assigned patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke to either early mobilization or usual care if the treatments could be initiated within 24 hours after stroke onset. Treatment with tissue plasminogen activator was allowed. Early mobilization included three elements: (1) initiation within 24 hours; (2) sitting, standing, or walking; and (3) at least three additional out-of-bed sessions compared with usual care. Treatment was for 14…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Early Mobilization After Stroke: Helpful or Harmful?

Topics

Reviewing Author