Effectiveness Of Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation In Stroke Recovery: Integrating Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, And Cognitive Therapy- Systematic Review

Background Stroke is a leading global cause of long-term disability, often resulting in impairments that affect motor function, cognition, and communication. Traditional rehabilitation approaches frequently focus on isolated therapies, yet growing evidence supports the integration of multidisciplinary care. Despite this, the effectiveness of combined physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and cognitive or speech therapy remains inconsistently evaluated across literature, warranting a systematic review to clarify its clinical utility. Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation—specifically integrating physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and cognitive or speech therapy—in improving functional, cognitive, and communicative outcomes in adult stroke survivors. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2012 and 2024. Inclusion criteria covered randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and qualitative research involving post-stroke adults undergoing multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Studies not in English, those focusing on single-modality therapy, or involving animal subjects were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were extracted using a standardized form, and results were synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity in outcome measures. Results: Nine studies met inclusion criteria. Most reported significant improvements in balance, fine motor skills, activities of daily living, and communication when multidisciplinary rehabilitation was implemented. One trial showed a 91% improvement across multiple functional domains, while others highlighted enhanced independence and quality of life. Risk of bias was generally low to moderate, and findings were consistent across diverse healthcare settings. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation appears to be more effective than isolated therapy approaches in supporting stroke recovery across physical, cognitive, and communicative domains. While the evidence is promising, variability in study designs and sample sizes suggests a need for further standardized, large-scale trials to validate these findings and guide clinical implementation.