Faddi Saleh Velez1, Elton Yeung2, Camila Bonin Pinto4, Tsei Mei Ling2, Matias Alet5, Leonardo Carbonera6, Bogdan Ciopleias7, Abdul khan8, Zhe kang law9, Radhika Lotlikar10, Roxanna Liu2, Adrian So2, Yin Chan2, Gloria Poon2, Laura Boada Robayo11, Demian Rudyk11, Pawel Kiper12, Andriy Yabluchanskiy11, Sean Savitz13, Louis Luo2, Wilton Fok2, Carol Chen2, Will Lam2, Benny Leung2, Valeria Caso14, Gustavo Saposnik15, Gary Lau3
1University of oklahoma health Sciences center, 2Hong Kong University, 3Neurology, Hong Kong University, 4Oklahoma University, 5FLENI, 6Hospital Moinhos de Vento, 7Transilvania University, 8Hospital Pengajar Universiti Putra Malasya, 9National University of Malasya, 10Civil Hospital Ratnagari, 11University of Oklahoma, 12IRCCS San Camilo Hospital, 13Stroke Institute, UT health, 14Santa Maria Della Misericordia, 15Neurology, University of Toronto
Objective:
We tested the SmartRehab efficacy, usability, and feasibility for stroke rehabilitation across seven countries.
Background:
Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide. Timely and personalized rehabilitation is critical for recovery, yet current methods are limited by medical shortages, overwhelmed healthcare systems, and insurance constraints. Telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising solution to address these gaps. The SmartRehab app, developed to tackle these issues, uses an Artificial Intelligence powered, computer vision-based pose estimation algorithm to track patient movements, providing precise performance assessment, immediate feedback, and tailored adjustments. The app operates autonomously, allowing patients to complete sessions without a physical therapist (PT) being present, while a single PT can remotely track progress and monitor dozens of patients offline at their convenience.
Design/Methods:
This ongoing prospective single-arm international multicenter study spans four continents, testing SmartRehab's feasibility and efficacy for post-stroke motor disability. Participants enrolled receive a 4-week automated telerehabilitation program, prescribed by PTs using the SmartRehab platform. Motor improvements are assessed with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) for upper and lower extremities. Usability and satisfaction are measured using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ).
Results:
This ongoing multicenter study has enrolled 30 subjects to date, with 15 stroke survivors completing telerehabilitation (mean age 57.6±16.97; 75% male). Preliminary analysis of patients with complete FMA (n=11) revealed a statistically significant improvement in upper extremity motor function (mean change [Baseline-Follow-up: -10.8±6.8; p<0.001]) and a trend toward improvement in lower extremities (mean change: -4.571±4.9; p=0.052). Usability feedback showed high ratings on TUQ (1-poor,7-great, mean 5.87±1.1). Therapists reported high satisfaction, ease of use, and benefits for patients, while adherence rates varied across countries (19%-95%, average 48%), with lower compliance linked to technology challenges
Conclusions:
SmartRehab is a feasible and effective telerehabilitation platform for stroke recovery, with high user satisfaction. Significant motor function improvements were observed. Addressing technological barriers may enhance adherence and outcome
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.