Innovative STRoke Interactive Virtual thErapy (STRIVE) online platform for community-dwelling stroke survivors: a...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health

Background:

• Stroke survivors often experience upper extremity impairment, impacting daily life.
• Access to specialized rehabilitation, like progressive exercise training, can be limited for community-dwelling individuals.
• Virtual therapy offers a potential solution for accessible, individualized rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the clinical efficacy of the STRoke Interactive Virtual thErapy (STRIVE) intervention.
• To assess the effect of STRIVE on brain activity in stroke survivors.
• To evaluate improvements in upper limb motor function, impairment, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• A multisite, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial involving 60 stroke survivors with upper extremity impairment.
• Participants were randomized to 8 weeks of virtual therapy (VT) or usual care.
• Outcomes included upper limb motor function (Action Research Arm Test, Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer), spasticity, brain activity (fNIRS), quality of life, and arm use.

Main Results:

• Primary outcomes focused on upper limb motor function and impairment.
• Secondary outcomes included upper extremity function, spasticity, sensorimotor cortex haemodynamics, quality of life, and arm use.
• All measures were assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• The STRIVE intervention aims to provide effective, remotely supervised exercise for stroke survivors.
• The study will provide insights into the clinical efficacy and neurophysiological effects of virtual therapy.
• Findings will inform the dissemination of effective digital health interventions in stroke rehabilitation.