Improving Quality of Life and Depression After Stroke Through Telerehabilitation

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.

Efficacy of Telerehabilitation in Patients with Stroke in Turkey: A Pilot Study

“…In contrast with studies in the literature that showed TR had favorable effects on quality of life and depression, we found no differences in terms of quality of life in our patients (16). Most of the patients reported that transportation to hospital helped them to socialize, gave them the opportunity to go out from home, and they could find someone to talk with in hospitals and keep up their morale.…”

Treadmill exercise promotes neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury via downregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators

“…Recent clinical trials suggest that exercise rehabilitation has the same beneficial effects as pharmacological drugs to improve health-related quality of life not only in patients6,32 with ischemic stroke but also in patients post myocardial infarction 7. Although intensive exercise may exacerbate brain cell damage,33 numerous experimental data have shown that appropriate exercise protects against ischemic brain injury 34,35.…”

The Transformation of the Rehabilitation Paradigm Across the Continuum of Care

“…Results revealed a statistically significant change for both traditional and robotic interventions. Although the intent of the study was to demonstrate the superiority of robotic treatment over traditional rehabilitation, it revealed no differences between groups but did result in improvements via a telerehabilitation approach [36]. Other studies have demonstrated similar or better outcomes of telerehabilitation compared to traditional therapy provided in clinic settings, indicating the beneficial role the former can play for people with neurologic disabilities [30,37].…”