Impact of mHealth technology on adherence to healthy PA after stroke: a randomized study

• Published in: Topics in stroke rehabilitation Vol. 27; no. 5; p. 354
• Main Authors: Grau-Pellicer, Montserrat, Lalanza, J F, Jovell-Fernández, E, Capdevila, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 03.07.2020
• Subjects: Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Patient Compliance; Physical Endurance; Postural Balance; Stroke Rehabilitation - methods; Telemedicine; Treatment Outcome; Walking; Walking Speed; mHealth; Stroke rehabilitation; sedentary behavior; adherence; physical activity
• ISSN: 1945-5119
• DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2019.1691816

Physical activity (PA) is a key health behavior in people with stroke including risk reduction of recurrent stroke. Despite the beneficial effects of PA, many community-dwelling stroke survivors are physically inactive. Information and communication technologies are emerging as a possible method to promote adherence to PA. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a mobile-health (mHealth) App in improving levels of PA. Forty-one chronic stroke survivors were randomized into an intervention group (IG) n=24 and a control group (CG) n=17. Participants in the IG were engaged in the Multimodal Rehabilitation Program (MMRP) that consisted on supervising adherence to PA through a mHealth app, participating in an 8-week rehabilitation program that included: aerobic, task-oriented, balance and stretching exercises. Participants also performed an ambulation program at home. The CG received a conventional rehabilitation program. Outcome variables were: adherence to PA, (walking and sitting time/day), walking speed (10MWT); walking endurance (6MWT); risk of falling (TUG); ADLs (Barthel); QoL (Eq-5D5L) and participant's satisfaction. At the end of the intervention, community ambulation increased more in IG (38.95 min; SD: 20.37) than in the CG (9.47 min; SD: 12.11) (p≤.05). Sitting time was reduced by 2.96 (SD 2.0) hours/day in the IG and by 0.53 (SD 0.24) hours in the CG (p≤.05). The results suggest that mHealth technology provides a novel way to promote adherence to home exercise programs post stroke. However, frequent support and guidance of caregiver is required to ensure the use of mobile devices.