Improvement in sarcopenia is positively associated with recovery of independence in urination and defecation in patients undergoing rehabilitation after a stroke

•Incontinence is common in older people, leading to poor quality of life•Sarcopenia frequently occurs in patients undergoing rehabilitation, and is associated with urinary and defecation prognosis•Improvement in sarcopenia and muscle strength may have a positive effect on urinary independence in patients after a stroke•Improvement in muscle strength may have a positive effect on defecation independence in these patients•Multidisciplinary sarcopenia treatment should be implemented in addition to conventional rehabilitation for these patients