Intensive, Multi-Technology Rehabilitation Programme for Chronic Stroke Survivors: Outcomes of a Phase I Single-Arm Repeated-Measures Study.

Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy 2026-10-01

Andrew Kerr, Madeleine Grealy, Milena Slachetka, Dwight Tse, Philip Rowe

Abstract

Background Effective rehabilitation interventions are needed to support recovery in people living with long-term post-stroke disability. Cocreation has been proposed as a method for enhancing the acceptability of technology-supported rehabilitation and may improve rehabilitation outcomes. Objective To observe changes in outcome following participation in a multi-technology rehabilitation intervention for motor recovery in people with chronic stroke and to explore factors associated with differential response. Design Pre-post, single-arm intervention study. Methods Participants with stroke ≥ 12 months previously and persistent motor impairment, completed an 8-week, group-based circuit class incorporating multiple rehabilitation technologies. Standardised measures of activity and participation were collected at baseline, pre-intervention, and post-intervention. Results Sixty-seven participants (mean age 60.49 ± 14.44 years; mean 41.87 ± 41.31 months post-stroke) were enroled and 59 (88.06%) completed a mean of 18.52 ± 6.44 sessions. Eight did not complete, mainly due to transport or illness. Statistically significant (p Conclusions Improvements in mobility and global function were observed following participation in a cocreated, multi-technology group rehabilitation programme for people with chronic stroke. Greater pre-post improvements were observed among participants with greater initial disability. These preliminary findings need confirmation in controlled studies. Trial registration Clinical Trial registration: NCT06787768.

MeSH terms: Humans, Chronic Disease, Disability Evaluation, Treatment Outcome, Recovery of Function, Aged, Middle Aged, Survivors, Female, Male, Physical Therapy Modalities, Stroke, Stroke Rehabilitation