Fresubin Protein module in a second-level rehabilitation program for patients with ischemic stroke: a prospective single-center clinical study

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Fresubin Protein module within a second-level rehabilitation program for patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke (IS). Material and methods. This prospective clinical study was conducted at a single center. It included 52 participants (27 in the experimental group and 25 in the control group), aged 45—90 years, with 14—35 days post-onset of IS. The experimental group received the Fresubin Protein module in addition to their standard diet for 12 days. Rehabilitation indices, hand muscle strength, and nutritional status were assessed on Day 1 and again on Day 12. Results. The incorporation of the protein module into the diet was associated with a statistically significant improvement in various metrics, including the Barthel Index (BI) of Activities of Daily Living (p=0.0258), muscle strength changes on the paresis side (p=0.0498) as well as the intact side (p=0.0433), and alterations in peripheral blood lymphocyte counts (p=0.0433). No adverse effects related to the protein module were reported. Conclusions. The findings indicate that the inclusion of the Fresubin Protein module as a nutritional supplement in the treatment of patients with IS during a second-level rehabilitation program was linked to enhanced daily functional activity and increased muscle strength. These results substantiate the integration of a high-protein diet into comprehensive rehabilitation strategies for individuals recovering from ischemic stroke.