Telehealth is emerging as an effective recovery tool for stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation at a clinic and recovering at home.

Results from a study conducted by Dr. Steven C. Cramer at the University of California at Irvine have concluded that increased telemedicine usage at home by patients has resulted in increased mobility as also for those traveling to receive in-person rehab. The findings were presented at the 2018 European Stroke Organization Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The findings noted that patient outcomes are improved in a supervised rehabilitation program through occupational and physical therapy with motor deficits being a major contributor to post-stroke disability. Determining the effectiveness of a comprehensive in-home telehealth therapy program in comparison to in-clinic rehabilitation remains pertinent in the face of several patients receiving suboptimal therapy for reasons including cost, availability and travel difficulties. 

The study was conducted over a period of six weeks and involved 124 stroke victims at 11 US sites. The group of stroke victims was split into two groups averaging 61 years and diagnosed with 4.5 months post-stroke and having moderate arm motor deficits at study entry. Half of the group underwent in-person therapy and the other was subjected to intensive arm therapy through a virtual platform. A licensed occupational/physical therapist oversaw the group of patients using telehealth.