title: Improving Quality of Life and Depression After Stroke Through Telerehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the effects of home-based robot-assisted rehabilitation coupled with a home exercise program compared with a home exercise program alone on depression and quality of life in people after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multisite randomized controlled clinical trial was completed with 99 people<6 mo after stroke who had limited access to formal therapy. Participants were randomized into one of two groups, (1) a home exercise program or (2) a robot-assisted therapy+home exercise program, and participated in an 8-wk home intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed statistically significant changes in all but one domain on the Stroke Impact Scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A robot-assisted intervention coupled with a home exercise program and a home exercise program alone administered using a telerehabilitation model may be valuable approaches to improving quality of life and depression in people after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Susan M. Linder, PT, DPT, NCS, is Physical Therapist and Research Scientist, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.affiliation: Anson B. Rosenfeldt, PT, DPT, MBA, is Physical Therapist, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Anson B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Rosenfeldt
authors.affiliation: R. Curtis Bay, PhD, is Biostatistician, Arizona School of Health Sciences, A. T. Still University, Mesa, AZ.
authors.forename: R Curtis
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bay
authors.affiliation: Komal Sahu, MPH, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Komal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sahu
authors.affiliation: Steven L. Wolf, PhD, PT, FAPTA, FAHA, is Physical Therapist and Professor, Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, and Senior Research Scientist, Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA.
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Jay L. Alberts, PhD, is Vice Chair, Health Enablement Technology, Neurological Institute, and Staff, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; albertj@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Jay L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alberts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012371:Robotics; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013689:Telephone; D000069350:Telerehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome