Integrability of a Comprehensive Telerehabilitation Approach for Post-Stroke Patients and Therapists: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Telerehabilitation can be a valuable addition to conventional rehabilitation after a stroke. The aim of the presented study was to assess the feasibility and integrability of a newly developed platform and service model to offer telerehabilitation in different settings in an initial field trial. The field trial was conducted in two clinics and a freelance therapy setting in Austria and Slovenia. Data were gathered using questionnaires for patients, therapists, and, if applicable, relatives. The data were analyzed using descriptive methods. Three patients were treated by seven therapists (occupational, physio, speech). During the test, the patients completed more than 25 exercises per week on average. The usability of the system, in general, was high, with slightly better results for the patients. Overall, the patients stated that telerehabilitation is a good addition to conventional therapy, although the quality of online therapy is not as high as face-to-face therapy. The therapists reported that the system was easy to use but had some obstacles in exercise preparation. The integrability in daily life was good, according to the patients. For the therapists, integrability was average, as the test showed some obstacles in the provision of services beyond the clinical setting. Further studies are required to elaborate on the quality of teletherapeutic interventions in the proposed flexible service model.