Preliminary findings of feasibility and compliance of technology-supported distal arm training at home after stroke

Abstract

After stroke, intensive and active training is important to regain functional use of the arm and hand. By applying a telerehabilitation system (SCRIPT1) supporting active, distal arm practice at home, a patient can practice independently, which enables a larger dosage of treatment than possible during one-to-one supervised rehabilitation. Currently one of the major, but rarely addressed, questions concerning telerehabilitation is whether patients actually use such a system in a self-administered training approach. This paper presents preliminary results about feasibility of self-administered post-stroke home-based SCRIPT1 training. So far, data of 20 chronic stroke patients is available, who have trained for six weeks at home using interactive gaming exercises and a passive wrist/hand orthosis supporting hand opening (SCRIPT1). Findings so far indicated positive perceptions of usability and showed actual use of the system with a mean training duration of 107 min/week. This was accompanied by modest improvements in motor function and dexterity, correlated positively with training duration. These preliminary findings indicate that self-administered, technologysupported distal arm training at home is feasible for chronic stroke patients.