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.
A Case Study: Imago Rehab for Post-Stroke Remote Rehabilitation
Demand for alternatives to traditional in-person post-stroke rehabilitation has increased in recent years. To meet this need, Imago Rehab developed a personal virtual rehabilitation program born out of Harvard University. The remote rehabilitation program is designed for individuals specifically recovering from strokes.
Imago supports stroke survivors at every stage of their recovery journey by blending leading remote rehab technologies with a deep-rooted commitment to patient-centered care to help accelerate progress. The Imago Rehab team uses a combination of technologies depending on the needs of each individual and may recommend one or more of the following:
- Robot-Assisted Therapy: Robotic devices aid with controlled, precise movements and repetition during therapy appointments and can help with improvement assessments.
- Digital Games and Apps: Gamified therapy and apps for stroke patients are interactive games for cognitive fitness and motor skill training. Apps can keep a recovery regimen fun and engaging and encourage consistency between therapy sessions.
- Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): BCIs can promote recovery of damaged brain networks. They translate brain signals into commands to control the movement of an external device in response.
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): FES is a treatment that delivers electrical impulses to activate targeted muscles and nerves, causing muscle contractions that enable movements such as lifting an arm or moving a foot. It may improve range of motion, muscle strength, and functional use of limbs.
- Virtual Reality (VR): VR simulations recreate real-life scenarios like walking down a busy street or reaching for objects on a shelf. This technology promotes functional skill practice with repetition in a safe and engaging way.
- Augmented Reality (AR): AR introduces virtual objects and visual instructions into a patient’s environment while tracking progress in real-time. Physical and cognitive exercises can be adjusted to different levels according to individual needs.
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 Imago team can work with you to help optimize the use of neurorehabilitation devices you may have at home.
Imago’s therapists focus on physical recovery but also foster a sense of empowerment and resilience among stroke survivors. An Imago therapist will 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, an Imago Rehab patient who suffered a stroke. Here is Susan’s recovery 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 Imago Rehab marked a turning point in her recovery. Choosing to engage with Imago’s remote rehabilitation services, 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.
Want to learn more about Post-Stroke Remote Rehab with Imago Rehab? Get Started Here.
(Link opens a pop-up for uninterrupted reading.)
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.
If you want to learn more about Imago Rehab’s remote rehabilitation services, please visit their website at www.imagorehab.com.
Additional Resources
Stroke Telerehabilitation: Does it Really Work?
Why “One More Time” Matters in Stroke Rehab
