Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Virtual Stroke Rehabilitation Interim Consensus Statement 2022
Nancy M Salbach1, Anita Mountain, M Patrice Lindsay
1From the Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (NMS); The KITE Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada (NMS, EI); Acquired Brain Injury Program, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Canada (AM); Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada (AM); Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Toronto, Canada (MPL, RM, NG); Ottawa Stroke Program, Division of Neurology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada (DB); Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada (DB); WorkHORSE Consulting Group, London, Canada (NF); Physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada (HC); School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Canada (JF); Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temetry Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (EI); Regional Stroke and Neurovascular Programs and North & East GTA Stroke Network, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada (EL); Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (EL); Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, Horizon Health Network, Fredericton, Canada (CO); Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie Medicine, Fredericton, Canada (CO); Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada (BS); Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (BS); Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada (EES); Calgary Stroke Program, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Canada (EES); School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada (AT); Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pembroke Regional Hospital, Pembroke, Canada (DT); Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Canada (TV); Stroke Services BC, Provincial Health Authority, Vancouver, Canada (KW); Acquired Brain Injury Program, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, Canada (JY); and Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (JY).
New Canadian guidelines promote virtual stroke rehabilitation, enhancing access to care for stroke survivors. These recommendations aim to improve rehabilitation accessibility and quality across Canada.
Area of Science:
- Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine
- Health Services Research
- Digital Health
Background:
- The Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations have been updated to include virtual stroke rehabilitation.
- Existing rehabilitation models face challenges in providing equitable access to care for all stroke survivors.
- Technological advancements enable new models for delivering healthcare services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and detail the new section on virtual stroke rehabilitation within the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations.
- To provide evidence-based guidance for the implementation and delivery of virtual stroke rehabilitation.
- To address key considerations for healthcare providers, patients, administrators, and funders involved in virtual stroke rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- A consensus statement developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology.
- A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases.
- Review and synthesis of evidence by an expert writing group, with consensus-based considerations for areas with insufficient evidence.
Main Results:
- New recommendations specifically address virtual stroke rehabilitation across various care settings (hospital, ambulatory, community).
- Guidance covers critical aspects including access, eligibility, consent, privacy, technology, training, assessment, service delivery, and evaluation.
- Virtual stroke rehabilitation is demonstrated to safely and effectively improve access to therapies and care providers.
Conclusions:
- Virtual stroke rehabilitation offers a viable solution to increase access to high-quality, evidence-based stroke care.
- Adoption of these recommendations is crucial for improving stroke rehabilitation outcomes irrespective of location or personal circumstances.
- These guidelines are essential for optimizing stroke care delivery and patient recovery across Canada.
