Improving Quality of Life and Depression After Stroke Through Telerehabilitation

Susan M Linder; Anson B Rosenfeldt; R Curtis Bay; Komal Sahu; Steven L Wolf; Jay L Alberts

doi:10.5014/ajot.2015.014498

Improving Quality of Life and Depression After Stroke Through Telerehabilitation

Am J Occup Ther. 2015 Mar-Apr;69(2):6902290020p1-10. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2015.014498.

Authors

Susan M Linder¹, Anson B Rosenfeldt², R Curtis Bay³, Komal Sahu⁴, Steven L Wolf⁵, Jay L Alberts⁶

Affiliations

¹ Susan M. Linder, PT, DPT, NCS, is Physical Therapist and Research Scientist, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
² Anson B. Rosenfeldt, PT, DPT, MBA, is Physical Therapist, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
³ R. Curtis Bay, PhD, is Biostatistician, Arizona School of Health Sciences, A. T. Still University, Mesa, AZ.
⁴ Komal Sahu, MPH, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
⁵ Steven L. Wolf, PhD, PT, FAPTA, FAHA, is Physical Therapist and Professor, Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, and Senior Research Scientist, Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA.
⁶ Jay L. Alberts, PhD, is Vice Chair, Health Enablement Technology, Neurological Institute, and Staff, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; albertj@ccf.org.

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.

Publication types

Multicenter Study
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Depression / psychology
Depression / rehabilitation*
Exercise Therapy / methods
Female
Home Care Services*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Quality of Life / psychology*
Robotics*
Single-Blind Method
Stroke / psychology
Stroke Rehabilitation*
Telephone
Telerehabilitation / methods*
Therapy, Computer-Assisted / methods
Treatment Outcome

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01144715

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Associated data

Grants and funding