Post-Stroke Depression and Stroke Rehabilitation: Literature Review

Post-Stroke Depression (PSD) is a common and disturbing complication of stroke that affects rehabilitation outcomes. A past history of depression and severe stroke are risk factors for PSD, and thus, more attention should be paid to such patients. Appropriately diagnosing and screening for PSD is important because proper treatment could improve depressive symptoms and disturbed abilities. Treatment for PSD includes psychological care, nutritional care, pharmacotherapy, and exercise. Pharmacotherapy is currently the leading treatment for PSD, but antidepressants are associated with various adverse effects. Psychological and nutritional care can help manage depressive symptoms and exercise has been proven to be an effective treatment associated with fewer contraindications than pharmacotherapy. These non-pharmacological approaches could be expected to expand in clinical practice.