Toward Home-Based Telerehabilitation for Cerebral Palsy Patients: A Qualitative Study on Feasibility, Barriers and...

Telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising solution to address accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and continuity of care for patients requiring long-term rehabilitation, like cerebral palsy (CP) patients. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the perceptions of clinical specialists, and CP patients regarding the feasibility, barriers, and facilitators of home-based telerehabilitation.

This qualitative study conducted a thematic analysis approach. Participants include two groups: 17 medical informatics and rehabilitation professionals and 13 CP patients and/or their caregivers. Participants were selected via expert and snowball sampling. Interviews were semi-structured, transcribed, and analyzed using the Braun-Clarke thematic analysis technique and MAXQDA software.

Thematic analysis revealed four dominant themes including feasibility, barriers, facilitators, and advantages. Feasibility was affected by technological infrastructure (internet connectivity, data security), human resources (availability of multidisciplinary specialists), legal aspects (patient data privacy), and financial sustainability. Key barriers included low digital literacy, limited access to specialized rehabilitation technologies, cultural resistance, legal regulations, and financial constraints. The findings also highlighted several advantages of home-based telerehabilitation, including cost savings, improved accessibility to rehabilitation, and enhanced patient engagement in therapy.

The current study suggested that home-based telerehabilitation can be a feasible alternative for CP patients in Iran, but a variety of technological, financial, legal, and cultural barriers must first be addressed for its successful development. Overcoming such barriers requires targeted investments, supportive policies, and cultural education for successful implementation.