Experts Urge Integration of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Standard Stroke Care
Early rehab key to recovery, say doctors on National PMR Day

On the occasion of National Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Day, leading neurologists and rehabilitation experts in New Delhi have emphasized the urgent need to formally integrate Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) into India’s standard stroke care protocols.

With stroke now ranking as the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability in India, experts said early and structured rehabilitation plays a critical role in long-term outcomes for stroke survivors.

“Stroke is a race against time, not just during the attack, but long after hospital discharge,” said Dr. Man Mohan Mehndiratta, Principal Director and Senior Consultant of Neurology at BLK-Max Centre for Neurosciences. “Rehabilitation, particularly in the first 90 days post-stroke, is essential for regaining independence and quality of life.”

Currently, rehabilitation is often overlooked or delayed in India’s stroke treatment pipeline, leading to preventable disability and poor outcomes. Experts believe this gap in care can be addressed through the integration of PMR into stroke protocols at both public and private healthcare institutions.

Dr. Mehndiratta and others called on policymakers to include PMR in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS), and to strengthen infrastructure and training in physical rehabilitation services.

Studies suggest that early PMR interventions — including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy — significantly improve functional recovery, reduce hospital readmissions, and enhance the quality of life for stroke survivors.

As stroke incidence continues to rise in India due to aging populations and lifestyle-related risk factors, health professionals stress that a multidisciplinary approach involving PMR is no longer optional but essential.