Intensive, Multi‐Technology Rehabilitation Programme for Chronic Stroke Survivors: Outcomes of a Phase I Single‐Arm Repeated‐Measures Study
Andrew Kerr, Madeleine Grealy, Milena Slachetka, Dwight Tse, Philip RoweABSTRACT
Background
Effective rehabilitation interventions are needed to support recovery in people living with long‐term post‐stroke disability. Cocreation has been proposed as a method for enhancing the acceptability of technology‐supported rehabilitation and may improve rehabilitation outcomes.
Objective
To observe changes in outcome following participation in a multi‐technology rehabilitation intervention for motor recovery in people with chronic stroke and to explore factors associated with differential response.
Design
Pre–post, single‐arm intervention study.
Methods
Participants with stroke ≥ 12 months previously and persistent motor impairment, completed an 8‐week, group‐based circuit class incorporating multiple rehabilitation technologies. Standardised measures of activity and participation were collected at baseline, pre‐intervention, and post‐intervention.
Results
Sixty‐seven participants (mean age 60.49 ± 14.44 years; mean 41.87 ± 41.31 months post‐stroke) were enroled and 59 (88.06%) completed a mean of 18.52 ± 6.44 sessions. Eight did not complete, mainly due to transport or illness. Statistically significant ( p < 0.05) changes from pre‐to post‐intervention were observed across all outcomes. Subgroup analysis showed that participants with poorer balance, upper‐limb function and global disability at baseline showed greater pre–post improvements than higher‐functioning participants.
Conclusions
Improvements in mobility and global function were observed following participation in a cocreated, multi‐technology group rehabilitation programme for people with chronic stroke. Greater pre–post improvements were observed among participants with greater initial disability. These preliminary findings need confirmation in controlled studies.
Trial Registration
Clinical Trial registration: NCT06787768.