Facilitating neuro-functional recovery - NIHSS decreased by 4.06±2.06 (points), arm muscular strength increased by 1.48±0.99 (grade) and leg muscular strength increased by 1.41±0.69 (grade) on average in the intervention group compared to 1.75±1.52 (points); 0.69±0.74 (grade) and 0.6±0.56 (grade) respectively in the control group, p<0.001.