Stroke recovery is a journey that often requires persistence and a personalized therapy program with frequent in-person therapy visits. However, with the advent of remote rehabilitation, or “telerehabilitation,” a new beacon of hope has emerged for stroke survivors who are seeking an alternative to traditional in-person rehabilitation.
Telerehabilitation or remote rehabilitation is an innovative approach that uses different forms of telecommunications technologies to facilitate the delivery of personalized rehabilitation services directly to a patient at home. But what sets it apart? What makes it so compelling for those on the path to recovery?
In this article we describe what sets remote rehabilitation apart from traditional rehabilitation. This is the first article in a 3-part blog series exploring telerehabilitation for stroke recovery.
Jump to a section:
Accessibility and Convenience of Remote Rehab from Home
Remote Rehab: A Personalized Approach
Case Study: Post-Stroke Remote Rehabilitation
Leveraging Technology for Post Stroke Recovery Remotely
Does Remote Rehabilitation Work?
Remote Rehabilitation and the Path to Recovery
Accessibility and Convenience of Remote Rehab from Home
Remote rehabilitation programs seamlessly integrate with your or your loved ones’ lives in the most convenient way possible – at home. A core advantage of stroke telerehabilitation is that it eliminates the barriers of distance and the constraints of a clinic-based schedule.
For stroke survivors who may struggle with transportation or find their physical energy waning, the ability to engage in therapy from the comfort of their living room bridges gaps, particularly for those in rural areas or with limited healthcare resources.
Remote rehab allows patients to meet with a skilled therapist for assessment and therapy visits via secure videoconferencing platforms. Physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy can all be performed in this virtual format.
Remote Rehab Offers A Personalized Approach
The transition from traditional outpatient rehabilitation to a remote rehabilitation model represents more than just a shift in location. Many believe that virtual rehabilitation is a shift toward more personalized care. When your living space becomes a rehab clinic, every fork, cup, and clothing stitch transforms into a therapeutic tool.
Mastering activities of daily living post-stroke requires active participation in rehabilitative sessions that are tailored to harness the brain’s neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s capacity to reorganize itself based on experiences and is pivotal in relearning skills affected by stroke. It enables the brain to adapt and reorganize, facilitating the acquisition of lost skills.
Through guided exercises and real-life simulations, remote stroke rehabilitation ensures that every movement serves a functional purpose and aids in reconstructive efforts post-stroke. For instance, in a telerehab session, a therapist might guide a patient virtually through exercises such as using utensils to mimic cutting food. Consistent practice stimulates brain activity, enhancing the ability to perform fine motor tasks in a real-world scenario, like using utensils.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Post-Stroke Recovery
Research shows that consistent high repetition is key to stroke recovery. Therapists often refer to this as massed practice. Therefore, performing high repetition of the skills or movements that need improvement is necessary. That is why therapy and practicing exercises at home in between therapy appointments are both important.
At the heart of remote rehabilitation lies the strategic use of technology to enrich the therapeutic experience. Full-body neuro rehab devices, such as Flint Rehab’s FitMi and MusicGlove, are excellent examples of how digital tools can be used to foster engaging, precise, and measurable recovery journeys. These devices not only tailor rehabilitation to individual needs but also add an element of enjoyment and motivation.
Your therapist can create a plan that targets your specific recovery needs and incorporate exercises that encourage massed practice and help you stay motivated to reach your unique goals. With consistency and dedication, your brain can heal itself after stroke. Moreover, through partnerships like that with Flint Rehab, your therapy team maximizes the benefit of patients’ rehabilitation devices at home.
Does Remote Rehabilitation Work?
Everyone has a unique remote rehabilitation recovery story. While each stroke recovery journey is distinct, learning how others overcame their obstacles can be inspiring and comforting.
One favorite telerehabilitation success story is that of Susan, this is her story!
Susan’s Rehabilitation Journey
After her stroke, Susan returned to her small town, where she faced significant challenges in accessing specialized stroke rehabilitation. The local clinics, primarily focused on sports medicine, lacked the expertise required for stroke recovery. After almost 18 months of outpatient rehab, Susan had made very little progress in restoring function to her affected arm.
Beyond the physical effects, this lack of progress had a profound impact on her mental well-being, leading her to question whether there was any hope for recovery. Susan’s discovery of remote rehabilitation marked a turning point in her recovery. Choosing to engage with a remote rehabilitation service, she embarked on a personalized therapy plan tailored by expert therapists.
This plan was not just about exercises; it was also about integrating therapeutic activities into her everyday life, transforming mundane tasks into opportunities for rehabilitation. The results were nothing short of transformational. Susan gained a multitude of new skills, significantly improved the functionality of her affected arm, and, most importantly, restored her belief in the possibility of recovery.
Remote Rehabilitation and the Path to Recovery
If you choose to explore remote rehab, collaborate closely with your medical team and therapists to develop a personalized telerehabilitation plan that aligns with your goals. With dedication and consistent repetition, you are taking daily steps toward enhancing your independence and achieving your goals.
Additional Resources
Stroke Telerehabilitation: Does it Really Work?
Why “One More Time” Matters in Stroke Rehab
