Telerehabilitation and electrical stimulation: an occupation-based, client-centered stroke intervention.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the efficacy of a remotely based arm rehabilitation regimen. A 62-year-old man participated in occupation-based, task-specific practice of activities of daily living (ADLs) >3 years after stroke. The entire regimen was administered over the Internet using personal computer-based cameras and free network meeting software.


METHODS
Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM), Action Research Arm Test (ARA), and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) were administered before intervention. One week after treatment, FM, ARA, and COPM were readministered.


RESULTS
The participant exhibited reduced impairment and reduced functional limitation. He also expressed enhanced satisfaction with his ability to perform ADLs and rated his ADL performance better after intervention. The participant could now drive using both hands, use eating utensils, and catch and throw a ball.


CONCLUSIONS
Data suggest feasibility and efficacy of a remotely based, inexpensive approach using functional electrical stimulation for affected arm rehabilitation after stroke.
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cincinnati Academic Medical Center (UCAMC), Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Valerie Hill
VH
Hermann
Mandy
M
Herzog
Rachel
R
Jordan
Maura
M
Hofherr
Peter
P
Levine
Stephen J
SJ
Page
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity; D014584:User-Computer Interface