Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a cognitive rehabilitation program for the patients having an acute stroke. The variables evaluated were cognitive function, depression and activities of daily living (ADLs). Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design with sixty-two subjects from two separated institutions was the design for the study. Thirty-three patients were assigned to the treatment group and 29 patients comprised the comparison group.

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... The treatment group participated in the nursing intervention for cognitive rehabilitation for a three week period of time. The study was conducted from September 2010 to April 2011. Results: Following the three week intervention, the cognitive function and activities of daily living of the treatment group were significantly improved compared to the comparison group (t=6.33, p<.001; t=4.57, p<.001). Specifically, depression was significantly decreased in the treatment group (t=3.95, p<.001). Conclusion: The cognitive rehabilitation program was effective in increasing the treatment group cognitive function and activities of daily living along with a decrease in depression scores. Therefore, Cognitive Rehabilitation Program could be expected a beneficial nursing intervention in stroke patients.