Video-guided exercise after stroke: a feasibility randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Neurology
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Facilitating self-directed upper-limb exercise post-stroke can enhance therapy intensity and outcomes.
• Current therapy limitations necessitate exploring supplementary exercise methods outside of clinical sessions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of video-guided exercise for upper-limb rehabilitation in stroke survivors.
• To gather data for designing a larger, definitive randomized controlled trial.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind feasibility randomized controlled trial with an embedded qualitative study.
• Fourteen participants with stroke were randomized to video-guided exercise or treatment-as-usual.
• Intervention involved a tablet with filmed exercises; outcomes included the Motor Status Scale (MSS) and qualitative feedback.

Main Results:

• The video-guided exercise intervention was found to be acceptable to participants.
• A key finding was the highlighted need for patient motivation and support for adherence.
• Sample size estimations suggest approximately 92 participants per group are needed for a future main trial to detect a significant difference in upper-limb motor status.

Conclusions:

• A trial of video-guided exercise for upper-limb rehabilitation post-stroke is feasible.
• Minor modifications to trial design, outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and the intervention itself are recommended for a future main trial.