The use of telerehabilitation to provide an exercise program to improve balance in a post-stroke population: Preliminary results

Abstract

This pilot study aimed to confirm the feasibility of dispensing a balance exercise program by telerehabilitation in a post-stroke population and to evaluate participants' satisfaction regarding the health care received. Four post-stroke participants were included. The intervention consisted of exercises inspired from Tai Chi movements, 45-minute sessions twice a week for 8 weeks. Fall-related clinical variables and health care satisfaction were assessed before, immediately after the intervention and two months later. Health care satisfaction was evaluated at the end of the intervention. All participants showed improvements for all of the variables measured: balance (Δ between 1-6/56), fear of falling (Δ between 3-17/60), motor function for the leg and postural control (Δ between 1 and 2 stage), functional gait (Δ between 11-47%), and lower limb strength (Δ between 20-43%). Satisfaction was also high. The result supports the feasibility of in-home Tai Chi teletreatment as a valuable alternative for some stroke patients. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.