High-Tech Home-Based Rehabilitation after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: To improve existing rehabilitation technologies, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the effect size of home-based rehabilitation using robotic, virtual reality, and game devices on physical function for stroke survivors. (2) Methods: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and CINAHL were used to search the randomized controlled trials that applied technologies via home-based rehabilitation, such as virtual reality, robot-assisted devices, and games. The effect size (Hedges's g) of technology type and affected limb on physical function were calculated. (3) Results: Ten studies were included. The effect size of home-based rehabilitation in virtual reality had the greatest value (Hedges's g, 0.850; 95% CI, 0.314-1.385), followed by robot-assisted devices (Hedges's g, 0.120; 95% CI, 0.003-0.017) and games (Hedges's g, -0.162; 95% CI, -0.036 to -0.534). The effect size was larger in the upper limbs (Hedges's g, 0.287; 95% CI, 0.128-0.447) than in the lower limbs (Hedges's g, -0.113; 95% CI, -0.547 to 0.321). (4) Conclusions: Virtual reality home rehabilitation was highly effective for physical function compared to other rehabilitation technologies. Interventions that consisted of a pre-structured and tailored program applied to the upper limbs were effective for physical function and psychological outcomes.