App-supported intervention to support coherent, cross-sectoral, person-centered and empowering stroke rehabilitation

Recent Danish reports advocate for the development of technology to meet growing rehabilitation demands and promote coherent, cross-sectoral rehabilitation . The use of information and communication technologies (ICT), including mobile phones, computers, tablets, and apps, within stroke rehabilitation, has been shown to enhance participation, adherence, and patient empowerment, improve information delivery, increase access to services, and support follow-up care. However, current ICT and app-solutions mainly address isolated aspects of stroke rehabilitation, lacking a comprehensive approach to support coherent, cross-sectoral, person-centered and empowering stroke rehabilitation. Also, there has been a lack of stakeholder engagement and co-design in their developments.
A recent PhD study adapted and developed content for two app platforms: Mit Sygehus and Genoptræn.dk, using an Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) approach. The co-designed content was found acceptable for supporting coherent, cross-sectoral, person-centered, and empowering stroke rehabilitation for stroke survivors, caregivers and therapists. A key innovation, was a newly developed video-recording feature in Genoptræn.dk, which facilitated person-centered rehabilitation activities, like exercise therapy, guidelines, instructions, and activities of daily living, allowing for continuous progression and evaluation throughout the rehabilitation sectors (8). Additionally, more cognitively impaired stroke survivors, including those with aphasia, found the app-supported rehabilitation and use of personalized video recordings highly relevant and beneficial. Further development is needed to improve information delivery, shared decision-making, and coherent, cross-sectoral goal setting processes and tools. Additionally, larger-scale testing and evaluation in diverse contexts across Southern Denmark is required to fully assess the apps’ feasibility.

The overall aim
This post-doctoral study aims to adapt, develop, implement, test, and evaluate an app-based intervention in a large-scale feasibility study – with the purpose of strengthening coherent, cross-sectoral, person-centered, and empowering stroke rehabilitation for individuals with moderate to severe stroke and their caregivers.