Telerehabilitation and Occupational Performance in Stroke

NCT07389811 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 86185525800000068
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of using telerehabilitation (remote care) by occupational therapists on improving the performance and recovery of patients within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) who have suffered a stroke and are on a waiting list for specialized rehabilitation care. The main question it seeks to answer is:

• What are the effects of occupational therapy services provided through telerehabilitation for the population with stroke sequelae?
• Do the guidelines provided by telerehabilitation result in improved occupational performance (ability to perform activities of daily living) of the participants? The researchers compare an experimental group (receiving telerehabilitation treatment) with a waitlist group (which will remain on the waitlist without receiving a specific intervention). Participants are required to:
• Answer a sociodemographic questionnaire;
• Participate in assessments using standardized scales on basic and instrumental activities of daily living and use of the affected limb (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, Katz Scale, and Motor Activity Log).
• Receive and apply Occupational Therapy guidelines (if in the intervention group).

Conditions

Stroke

Keywords

Occupational Therapy; Telerehabilitation; Stroke; Public Health; Waiting Lists

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in "Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living" score indicating greater independence or dependence in performing basic activities of daily living after 2 months.

  The Katz Index (Brazilian version) assesses functional status in six activities: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. The total score ranges from 0 to 6. In this specific version, 0 indicates full independence (best outcome) and 6 indicates full dependence (worst outcome). Therefore, lower scores indicate a better outcome.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

• Change in "Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living" score indicating greater independence or dependence in performing instrumental activities of daily living after 2 months.

  The Lawton Scale (Brazilian version) assesses independent living skills such as using the phone, shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, mode of transportation, responsibility for their own medications, and ability to handle finances. Scores range from 7 to 21. Higher scores indicate greater independence (better outcome).

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

• Change in "Motor Activity Log" score for quantitative and qualitative analysis of the use of the affected upper limb.

  The MAL (Brazilian version) scale assesses how well the patient uses the affected upper limb. Participants rate the quality of movement on a scale from 0 (The weaker arm is not used) to 5 (Ability to use the weaker arm is just as good as before the stroke). The final score is the mean of the items. Higher scores indicate better movement quality (better outcome).

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Telerehabilitation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group receive Occupational Therapy guidance via telehealth (telerehabilitation) focused on improving occupational performance.

Behavioral: Telerehabilitation in Occupational Therapy

Waiting List

NO INTERVENTION

Participants allocated to this group remains on the waiting list for occupational therapy, following the natural course of functional improvement.

Interventions

Telerehabilitation in Occupational Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Online guidance sessions for post-stroke patients and their caregivers, aimed at improving occupational performance, using standardized scales.

Telerehabilitation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Clinically stable
• Diagnosis of sequelae of stroke (regardless of modified Rankin scale score)
• On a waiting list with medical indication for Occupational Therapy at IMREA HCFMUSP
• Access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet connection allowing for video calls
• Ability to understand the Portuguese language
• Availability of a caregiver to assist during therapy sessions, if necessary

You may not qualify if:

• Clinically unstable patients (e.g., frail elderly with decompensated chronic diseases)
• High-risk pregnant women
• Lack of access to internet or devices required for telerehabilitation
• Absence of a caregiver when assistance is required for sessions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Sao Paulo: lead

Study Sites (1)

Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of USP

São Paulo, São Paulo, 04101-300, Brazil

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

Telerehabilitation; Occupational Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services; Telemedicine; Delivery of Health Care; Patient Care Management; Health Services Administration

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 8, 2026
• First Posted: February 5, 2026
• Study Start: July 27, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 5, 2025
• Study Completion: December 26, 2025
• Last Updated: February 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BR (1)