The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to healthcare delivery, especially for vulnerable populations such as stroke survivors. A recent pilot study titled HOME-BASED TELEREHABILITATION FOR COMMUNITY-DWELLING PERSONS WITH STROKE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A PILOT STUDY explores the feasibility and safety of asynchronous telerehabilitation for stroke survivors in the Philippines. This study provides valuable insights that can help practitioners improve their skills and encourage further research in the field of telerehabilitation.
Conducted by Leochico et al. (2023), the study involved 19 ambulatory, non-aphasic adult members of a national university hospital stroke support group. Participants engaged in a 2-week home-based telerehabilitation program using a common social media application, Facebook. The program included original, easy-to-follow home exercise videos posted every other day.
Key findings from the study include:
- All 19 participants completed the program with no significant adverse events.
- The majority of subjects improved their perceptions of telerehabilitation, physical activity levels, and perceived well-being.
- Participants felt more comfortable and satisfied with telerehabilitation post-intervention compared to baseline.
These outcomes suggest that telerehabilitation is not only feasible but also effective in enhancing physical activity and well-being among stroke survivors. For practitioners, this study underscores the importance of integrating telerehabilitation into their practice, especially in resource-limited settings.
Here are some practical steps practitioners can take to implement telerehabilitation based on the study's findings:
- Utilize familiar and low-cost technologies like social media platforms to deliver rehabilitation services.
- Ensure pre-participation screening and medical clearance to enhance safety.
- Provide clear, easy-to-follow exercise instructions and monitor progress through regular check-ins.
- Encourage social interaction among participants to foster a supportive community.
Moreover, the study highlights the need for further research to address the challenges and barriers to widespread telerehabilitation adoption. These include data privacy concerns, the need for robust national telehealth policies, and the development of secure and standardized protocols.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: HOME-BASED TELEREHABILITATION FOR COMMUNITY-DWELLING PERSONS WITH STROKE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A PILOT STUDY.
