A pilot study of a tablet-based app for rehabilitation after stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study of a tablet-based app for rehabilitation of the upper limb following stroke
IRAS ID
174163
Contact name
Sheree McCormick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Following a stroke many patients experience movement problems that affect their daily life. Hospital-based rehabilitation focuses on general mobility to prepare the patient for discharge. This approach does not meet all the needs of stroke survivors, particularly those with upper limb problems. Action Therapy is a novel, home-based rehabilitation therapy that targets upper limb movements using specific mental and physical training routines. Watching and imagining actions immediately before practicing them reinforces the brain's attempts to ‘rewire’ the connections damaged by the stroke. This approach is suggested to be better than physical therapy alone and some preliminary success in stroke survivors has already been shown. This project will investigate whether Action Therapy can be delivered effectively at home via a tablet-based app. For stroke survivors world-wide this could mean that they have access to semi-supported therapy after hospital discharge. They will also have greater control of their rehabilitation. The project aims to determine if Action Therapy: (i) improves the motor ability and general well being of stroke survivors; and (ii) is an acceptable way of delivering therapy to stroke survivors. The results will indicate the amount and type of therapy stroke individuals voluntarily choose to perform and how acceptable high-tech devices are in stroke rehabilitation. The results will also allow assessment of the feasibility for conducting a larger study. If proof of principle is established applications will be made for substantial funding for further studies.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0045
Date of REC Opinion
26 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion