While many physical therapists turn to virtual care, how can you be sure if telerehab is right for you? Find out here if you should join the telerehab train.

Is Post-Stroke Telerehab For Me? What You Need to Know

COVID-19 has disrupted many aspects of daily life. On the other hand, it has
accelerated the way in which you are able to access healthcare services. Now,
thanks to technology, you can connect to healthcare specialists with a few
clicks of a mouse. 

Telerehabilitation for post-stroke care has been around for over a decade.
Lately, it has become more mainstream, especially after the pandemic began. It
is a way to connect with your physical therapists to improve upper arm function,
strength, balance, and walking after a stroke. 

Many research studies have supported the use of post-stroke telerehabilitation
for physical therapy [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21097560/]. But, you still
may have questions about the pros and cons of virtual care. Below you will find
helpful information about whether telerehab is right for you. 


Telerehab makes physical therapy (PT) treatment possible through video or audio
technology.Benefits of telerehabilitation for stroke survivors
Telerehabilitation, or telerehab, is the delivery of rehabilitation services
through video or audio format. It also allows for easy access to experts in
post-stroke care without leaving the comfort of home. 

Other benefits of post-stroke telerehabilitation include: 

 * Real time health monitoring
 * The ability to share information with caregivers
 * Providing immediate feedback on exercise technique

Before the pandemic, post-stroke telerehab was used for people who could not
easily travel to appointments. Now, stroke survivors with COVID-19, who are
asymptomatic or have mild symptoms in self-quarantine, can see providers without
gaps in treatment. 

Research studies have found post-stroke telerehab to be equally effective as
face-to-face care.
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1052305715005005] Simply
put, post-stroke telerehab can still help you reach meaningful outcomes, like
arm function, independence with walking, and balance, like face-to-face rehab. 


Instead of clinic equipment, a telerehab session may make use of things
available in your home environment.Drawbacks to telerehabilitation
Unfortunately, there are a few barriers to post-stroke telerehab.

There is always the possibility of delays in WiFi connectivity or poor video
quality. Depending on where you live, legal barriers
[https://www.apaservices.org/practice/clinic/covid-19-telehealth-state-summary#indiana] 
may affect the timing and delivery of your care. 

Several research studies have looked at the cost of post-stroke telerehab in
comparison to face-to-face visits. The general consensus is that there is not a
significant cost difference
[http://nebula.wsimg.com/5ffa0b7e108a03a8e6f6f658b515f0fb?AccessKeyId=369F185A9EFA841F6B6A&disposition=0&alloworigin=1] 
between the two. 

Despite this, insurance companies have been slow to offer coverage of telerehab
visits. Be sure to check with your insurance provider before setting up virtual
appointments . This will ensure that you are not slapped with an enormous bill
at the end of your care.

Determining whether telerehab is right for you depends on a few factors,
including your comfort with technology and the type of interaction that you
prefer with your therapists. If you like face-to-face interaction, getting out
of the house, and personal contact, then telerehab may not be the best option
for you. 


A telerehab PT will guide you through session activities and monitor your
performance over live video.


Is post-stroke telerehab going to be the new norm?
In short, yes. 

If this year has taught us one thing, it is that virtual medical and
rehabilitation appointments are here to stay. Once the outbreak is over, expect
to see telerehab practices continue as more clinicians, and insurance companies
get on board.



The reality of telerehabilitation
Telerehabilitation has become an effective way to deliver post-stroke
rehabilitation without increasing your risk of getting infected with COVID-19. 

It allows physical therapists and other rehabilitation experts to deliver
treatments that are important to you. Virtual services also improve access for
stroke survivors who live in rural areas with limited local resources. 

Telerehab will be more successful once the issues with software and legal
concerns are resolved. Despite its drawbacks, post-stroke telerehab can still be
a useful tool because it allows for access to expert care as you continue to
work towards your mobility goals. Moving forward, you can expect telerehab to
become the new standard for post-stroke care. 




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