Background

Early rehabilitation has been proved very important for stroke patients. However, the effective model of transitioning from early in-hospital rehabilitation to discharge rehabilitation using the collaborative remote rehabilitation nursing model has not been thoroughly studied.

Objective

To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of collaborative care model based telerehabilitation exercise training for acute stroke patients.

Methods

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. Patients were recruited and randomly divided into intervention and control group. Both groups were given regular treatment and acute rehabilitation nursing instructions during hospitalization. The control group was followed by regular telephone follow-up after discharge. The intervention group received Internet-based remote rehabilitation project after discharge. Motor function, balance ability and quality of life were measured at the day of discharge, the 4^th week, 8^th week and 12^th week after patients were discharged. The CONSORT checklist was used to check the procedure.

Results

A total of 61 patients completed the study, 30 cases in the intervention group and 31 cases in the control group. Both groups were significantly improved in terms of motor function and quality of life, but the intervention group showed greater improvement in Fugl-Meyer Motor Function Assessment (intervention group = 83.70 ± 4.44, control group = 75.29 ± 2.89), Berg Balance Scale (intervention group = 43.13 ± 2.32, control group = 38.29 ± 2.70) and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (intervention group = 190.57 ± 5.09, control group = 175.90 ± 5.78). Group-time interaction was significant in motor function and quality of life.

Conclusion

Collaborative care model based telerehabilitation exercise training program can safely and effectively improve the recovery of motor function and improve the quality of life in patients with stroke.