Patients with acute stroke admit into an acute inpatient ward who meet study criteria and provide institutional-reviewed consent form will be randomly assigned into either model 1 or model 2 of an early functional training program. Participants in model 1 group will receive 2 sessions of functional training per day whereas those in model 2 group will receive 1 session of functional training and 1 session of friendly visit and education per day. The following outcomes will be measured at admission, at discharge and at 3 months post stroke: Barthel index (BI), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), Mobility Scale for Acute Stroke (MASA), and usual gait speed (UGS). The rater is blinded to participants' group membership.
To investigate the difference between two models of an early intervention program (focused on mobility function) in the functional recovery 3 months post stroke in a group of patients with acute ischemic stroke while in acute inpatient ward hospitalization.