Awareness and Knowledge About Role of Physiotherapy in Stroke Rehabilitation in Adults of Ahmedabad City

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability, with physiotherapy playing a vital role in rehabilitation. However, there is limited public understanding of physiotherapy’s role in stroke recovery, particularly in Ahmedabad. Public awareness is crucial to promote early intervention, improve recovery outcomes, and reduce long-term disability. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate awareness and knowledge about the role of physiotherapy in stroke rehabilitation among adults in Ahmedabad City. Methods: A random sampling method was used to distribute a self-administered, multiple-choice questionnaire via Google Forms to students and employed young adults, yielding 122 responses. The questionnaire was reviewed for validity by senior physiotherapists, included sections on demographics, knowledge about stroke and physiotherapy, awareness of physiotherapy in stroke rehabilitation, and perceptions of its effectiveness. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. Descriptive analysis was done. Results: Among respondents, 47.5% were familiar with what stroke is, and 82.8% were aware of physiotherapy as a treatment option after stroke. While 75.4% recognized its benefits in recovery and 74.6% would recommend it to family members, only 35% believed physiotherapy should start immediately after stroke. Additionally, 38.5% felt there is insufficient information about physiotherapy for stroke rehabilitation in Ahmedabad. Conclusion: The findings suggest that while awareness of physiotherapy’s role in stroke recovery is high, understanding the importance of early intervention remains limited. Enhanced education and awareness initiatives are needed to ensure timely access to physiotherapy, improving recovery outcomes and quality of life for stroke survivors. Key words: Stroke Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy Awareness, Young Adults, Ahmedabad City