Bidirectional and Multi-User Telerehabilitation System:Clinical Effect on Balance, Functional Activity, andSatisfaction in Patients with Chronic Stroke Livingin Long-Term Care Facilities

Sensors

Wen-Tzeng Huang¹  Yuan-Jen Chang²  Chin-Hsing Chen²  Shang-Ming Yu³  Jin-Shin Lai⁴  You-Yin Chen⁵  Kwan-Hwa Lin⁶ 

[1] Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Minghsin University of Science and Technology, Hsinchu 304, Taiwan;Department of Management Information Systems, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung 406, Taiwan;Department of Nursing, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung 406, Taiwan;Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan;Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;

关键词: wireless sensor network;    telerehabilitation;    stroke;    balance;   

DOI  :  10.3390/s140712451

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: The application of internet technology for telerehabilitation in patients with stroke has developed rapidly. Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of a bidirectional and multi-user telerehabilitation system on balance and satisfaction in patients with chronic stroke living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Method: This pilot study used a multi-site, blocked randomization design. Twenty-four participants from three LTCFs were recruited, and the participants were randomly assigned into the telerehabilitation (Tele) and conventional therapy (Conv) groups within each LTCF. Tele group received telerehabilitation but the Conv group received conventional therapy with two persons in each group for three sessions per week and for four weeks. The outcome measures included Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Barthel Index (BI), and the telerehabilitation satisfaction of the participants. Setting: A telerehabilitation system included “therapist end” in a laboratory, and the “client end” in LTCFs. The conventional therapy was conducted in LTCFs. Results: Training programs conducted for both the Tele and Conv groups showed significant effects within groups on the participant BBS as well as the total and self-care scores of BI. No significant difference between groups could be demonstrated. The satisfaction of participants between the Tele and the Conv groups also did not show significant difference. Conclusions: This pilot study indicated that the multi-user telerehabilitation program is feasible for improving the balance and functional activity similar to conventional therapy in patients with chronic stroke living in LTCFs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown