Telerehabilitation and Occupational Performance in Stroke

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).

Completed

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

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

São Paulo, 04101-300, Brazil

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

Telerehabilitation in Occupational Therapy

Behavioral

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

Primary outcomes

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.

Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

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

Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

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

Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

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).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Sao Paulo

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Telerehabilitation on the Occupational Performance of Stroke Patients Treated by an Occupational Therapy Service: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Feb 5, 2026
Registry last updated: Feb 5, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed