Toward Improving Poststroke Aphasia: A Pilot Study on the Growing Use of Telerehabilitation for the Continuity of Care.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Aphasia is a quite common and very disabling symptom following stroke, negatively affecting patient's quality of life. Aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation training for aphasia that employ a touch-screen tablet using a virtual reality rehabilitation system (VRRS-Tablet).

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Thirty patients with aphasia due to ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were randomized into either the control or the experimental group and assessed by means of a specific neuropsychological evaluation. The study lasted 6 months and included 2 phases. During the former, the experimental group underwent an experimental linguistic treatment performed using the VRRS-Tablet, while the control group was trained with a traditional linguistic treatment. In the latter, the control groups were delivered to territorial services, while the experimental group was provided with the VRRS-Tablet.

RESULTS:

The experimental group improves in all the investigated areas, except for writing, while the control group only improves in comprehension, depression, and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study has demonstrated the effectiveness of a home-based telerehabilitation program specific for poststroke aphasia. The use of telerehabilitation by means of VRRS-Tablet could be one of the best solutions to treat aphasic patients after their discharge, promoting continuity of care by monitoring functional outcomes, maintaining preserved abilities, reducing depression, and improving linguistic functions, besides the psychological well-being.

• Authors: Giuseppa Maresca, Maria Grazia Maggio, Desiree Latella, Antonino Cannavò, Maria Cristina De Cola, Simona Portaro, Maria Chiara Stagnitti, Giuseppe Silvestri, Michele Torrisi, Alessia Bramanti, Rosaria De Luca, Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
• Journal: Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association (J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis) Vol. 28 Issue 10 Pg. 104303 (Oct 2019) ISSN: 1532-8511 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 31371144 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Aphasia (diagnosis, physiopathology, psychology, rehabilitation)
• Computers, Handheld
• Continuity of Patient Care
• Female
• Home Care Services, Hospital-Based
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Discharge
• Pilot Projects
• Quality of Life
• Recovery of Function
• Stroke (diagnosis, physiopathology, psychology, therapy)
• Stroke Rehabilitation (instrumentation, methods)
• Telerehabilitation (instrumentation, methods)
• Treatment Outcome