Optimizing a Home-based Virtual Reality Exercise Program for Chronic Stroke Patients: a Telerehabilitation Approach

More specifically, the primary objective of the RCT is to provide preliminary evidence regarding efficacy of the VirTele program for upper limb motor control recovery in chronic stroke. Secondary objectives are to: i. Determine the effect of the VirTele program on upper limb function, quality of life and motivation; ii. Determine the feasibility of using the VirTele program with users at home (e.g. adherence, safety, technical difficulties, facilitators and barriers); iii. Explore the role that shared decision‐making and empowerment play in exercise program adherence and progression, and in behavior modification for upper‐limb use. This study will also provide evidence of feasibility for conducting a larger‐scale RCT comparing different technologies and interventions for chronic stroke rehabilitation. A single‐blind (evaluator) two‐arm randomized clinical trial (RCT) is proposed for this study with participants who have had a stroke randomly allocated to: (1) 8‐week training with the VirTele system.i.e. treatment group or (2) 8‐week written home exercise program provided by a clinician (GRASP), i.e. exercise control group.