Poster - #VH-16129 - Keywords: stroke rehabilitation telehealth telerehabilitation clinical transformation

Significant Motor and Functional Gains Achieved with Telehealth-Only Outpatient Rehab in Chronic Stroke

Micaela Galley, MOT, OTR/L[1], CSRS; John Paul Bonadonna, OTD, OTR/L, CSRS, LSVT BIG[1]; Kathryn Perry, OTR, LSVT BIG[1]; Lesley Phillips, OTR/L[1]; Andrew Mason, PT, DPT[1]; Julie Shane, PT, DPT[1]; Mike Gilmore, MBA[1]; Alida Pelli[1];Gene Tacy, MS[1]; Chris Dugan, MBA[1], & Kristin Nuckols, OTD, MOT, OTR/L[1]
[1]Imago Rehab, Inc, Lowell, MA

ABSTRACT:
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, with approximately 800,000 strokes occurring annually in the United States(1). Approximately 80% of chronic stroke survivors demonstrate upper extremity dysfunction(1) and gait dysfunction(2).

The societal impact of stroke necessitates effective rehabilitation strategies that can be implemented within a resource-constrained healthcare environment. Conventional therapy often falls short in fostering motor recovery, as the implementation of high-dose high-intensity rehabilitation (HDHIR) in clinical settings is fraught with logistical and financial challenges.

Telerehabilitation and digital therapeutics offer scalable solutions to improve access, intensity, and continuity of therapy(3,4). We present a telehealth-only PT and OT clinic treating patients with chronic stroke across multiple states using evidence-based principles.

We hypothesize our model will be able to drive functional gains through:
-Multimodal, salient, and challenging tasks performed in the home
-Enhanced persistence and engagement using task-based therapy vs. traditional exercise models
-Improved metacognition and self-management(5), supporting lasting functional recovery