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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2015 Mar-Apr;69(2):6902290020p1-10.
doi: 10.5014/ajot.2015.014498.

Improving Quality of Life and Depression After Stroke Through Telerehabilitation

Susan M Linder  1 , Anson B Rosenfeldt  2 , R Curtis Bay  3 , Komal Sahu  4 , Steven L Wolf  5 , Jay L Alberts  6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Improving Quality of Life and Depression After Stroke Through Telerehabilitation

Susan M Linder et al. Am J Occup Ther. 2015 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of home-based robot-assisted rehabilitation coupled with a home exercise program compared with a home exercise program alone on depression and quality of life in people after stroke.

Method: A multisite randomized controlled clinical trial was completed with 99 people<6 mo after stroke who had limited access to formal therapy. Participants were randomized into one of two groups, (1) a home exercise program or (2) a robot-assisted therapy+home exercise program, and participated in an 8-wk home intervention.

Results: We observed statistically significant changes in all but one domain on the Stroke Impact Scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for both groups.

Conclusion: A robot-assisted intervention coupled with a home exercise program and a home exercise program alone administered using a telerehabilitation model may be valuable approaches to improving quality of life and depression in people after stroke.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01144715.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mean scores on the nine domains of the SIS and the CES–D from baseline to end of treatment for both intervention groups. Note. Error bars indicate standard deviations. Act = Activities; ADLs = Activities of Daily Living; CES–D = Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; Com = Communication; Fxn = Function; HEP = home exercise program; Rec = Recovery; SIS = Stroke Impact Scale.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Representative chart depicting monitoring capabilities during the robot-assisted therapy intervention. Remote monitoring of this participant’s performance and compliance was addressed during a weekly phone call on March 13, 2013, resulting in improved compliance during the subsequent 2-wk time frame. Additional data (not shown) included drill-down options for each game to view specific performance parameters, including range of movement, amount of resistance, and repetitions attempted versus successfully completed.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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