As reported in the August edition of the journal Stroke on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, an at-home, telehealth-based stroke rehabilitation program assisted patients regain lower body function.
Researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and the Department of Veterans Affairs Richard Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana conducted the study.
Fifty two veterans who were living at home and who had survived a hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke within the previous two years were evaluated. Some of the patients received their usual care and some participated in a stroke telerehabilitation program called STeleR.The researchers installed a camera to record the veterans’ functional abilities and connected an in-home messaging device via the telephone line. A therapist at a remote location used the messaging device to monitor the veterans on a weekly basis.
The study found that compared with veterans who received usual care, veterans who participated in the STeleR program were better able to:
Prepare meals;
Maintain a regular exercise routine;
Manage their finances and
Handle personal needs, such as bathing;
This research certainly showed improvement of the veterans’ improvement capability and should be encouraged to continue and expand.
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Tutor System Biofeedback Rehabilitation 