Therapeutic hypothermia as part of a second-stage rehabilitation program for patients аfter ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: Implementation of new approaches to enhance the effectiveness of poststroke rehabilitation remains a pressing challenge. Promising experimental data on the neuroprotective effects of hypothermia and the beneficial outcomes of craniocerebral hypothermia in the acute phase of ischemic stroke formed the basis for this study. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of craniocerebral hypothermia as part of a rehabilitation program at the early recovery phase of ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center prospective pilot study included 95 patients (70 in the intervention group and 25 in the control group) who were at the early recovery phase of moderate ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score 5–15) with an activity limitation of 3–4 on the modified Rankin Scale. Both groups received standard rehabilitation therapy, while patients in the intervention group additionally underwent daily 90-minute craniocerebral hypothermia sessions for 10 days. Intracranial temperature in the frontal region was measured before and after treatment in both groups using noninvasive radiothermometry. Clinical effectiveness of the craniocerebral hypothermia was assessed using functional and cognitive scales. RESULTS: Scale-based assessment revealed significant improvements in functional independence, mobility, and self-care ability. CONCLUSION: Craniocerebral hypothermia may be recommended as part of an early rehabilitation program after ischemic stroke to improve treatment outcomes.