All patients consecutively admitted to the rehabilitation stroke unit will be screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria immediately after admission. Emma Ghaziani, daily project leader, or other health care personnel involved in the study (e.g. the persons delivering ESS) will take personal contact to each eligible patient as soon as the patient's medical condition allows it. The patient is first asked if he/she is interested in receiving information on the study. If so, the written information is handed out, the information interview is scheduled, and the patient is informed about the possibility of having a companion (e.g. a relative, a friend) present at the information interview. If necessary, the patient may get assistance in contacting the companion in this regard. The information interview will be performed by Emma Ghaziani or other health care personnel involved in the study and will take place at the patient's bedside. The patient's bed will be screened off from the rest of the ward and no other visitors will be present. The declaration of consent will be collected after the patient has been given a reflection time which is determined with regard to inclusion criteria d) (i.e. ESS can be initiated within 7 days post-stroke). Baseline assessment will be performed during the first week post-stroke.