Rehabilitation interventions in nursing: gains in functionality in the self-care of people with neurological disorders
A Systematic Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33194/rper.2025.35999Keywords:
Rehabilitation Nursing, Health Gains, Stroke, Literature Review, Nursing CareAbstract
Introduction: Mortality from stroke has decreased, but morbidity remains a challenge, making integrated approaches essential for the readaptation and reintegration of individuals. Rehabilitation nurses play a central role in empowering the person and their family to maximise functionality.
Objective: To identify the rehabilitation nursing interventions that result in gains in self-care functionality for people with neurological alterations resulting from stroke.
Methodology: A systematic literature review was carried out, namely a rapid review, following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PICO mnemonic, with a search on Ebsco in the CINAHL, MEDLINE, MedicLatina and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection databases, covering articles published between January 2019 and August 2024, since 2019 marked significant changes in the field of rehabilitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results: 5 quantitative studies were included: 2 prospective observational studies and 3 experimental studies, carried out in European countries and south Americans. All had methodological quality in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Effective rehabilitation nursing interventions were identified in three main areas: motor, respiratory and cognitive rehabilitation. These interventions demonstrated significant improvements in the health of patients with neurological alterations resulting from a stroke. In motor rehabilitation, there were advances in mobility, muscle strength, joint range, posture and balance. In cognitive rehabilitation, gains were evident in functionality and the quality of movements of the upper extremities.
Discussion: Rehabilitation is essential in stroke, with most recovery occurring in the first 12 weeks after the event. Neurological interventions increase functional independence and physical quality of life. Daily training can strengthen the lower limbs, while restorative and compensatory approaches improve neuropsychological function for upper limb apraxia.
Conclusions: Functional improvements in the self-care of people with stroke-related neurological disorders were found as a result of physical and cognitive rehabilitation nursing interventions in line with professional guidelines.
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