Use of Applications to Support Stroke Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe, and review evidence of applications being used to support the rehabilitation process after stroke. The secondary aim was to describe participants’ stroke severity, and use of applications in relation to, respectively, the setting and phase of the rehabilitation process.
Method: A scoping review methodology was used to identify studies, through databases as PubMed, Cinahl, Embase and AMED. Additionally, grey literature was searched. The studies were categorized using Wade´s rehabilitation framework.
Results: Thirty-six studies were included in which applications were used to support: assessment (n=13); training (n=20); discharge from hospital (n=2); and both training and discharge from hospital (n=1). Of the 36 studies, 25 studies included participants with mild to moderate stroke, and four studies included participants with severe stroke. In seven studies the stroke severity was not reported. Participants with chronic stroke (n=18), acute-subacute stroke (n=12), acute and/or subacute and/or chronic stroke (n=3) were included. In three studies, stroke onset was not reported. Applications were used in a rehabilitation
setting (n=16), home setting (n=13), both settings (n=3). In four studies the setting were not reported.
Conclusion: Most included studies of applications developed to support the rehabilitation process after stroke have been explorative. They tested primarily participants with mild or moderate stroke and focused on a limited aspect of the rehabilitation process, e.g., assessment or training. Future applications to support stroke rehabilitation should accommodate stroke survivors’ and caregivers’ need for solutions, irrespective of stroke severity and throughout the entire rehabilitation process.