Title: Exploring the Feasibility of the NeuroPlatform as a novel intervention to deliver upper-limb exercise poststroke from hospital to home: a randomised control trial
Funder: Stroke Association

Abstract: It’s very common for stroke survivors to experience difficulty moving their arms and hands after stroke. This can have a huge impact on their day-to-day life and independence. They might not be able to cook and eat meals on their own, and can struggle to get washed and dressed. Physical rehabilitation can help, but for the best chance of treatments making a real difference, stroke survivors must repeat exercises many times, for a long time. This can be a challenge for many reasons. For example, they need to stay motivated, feel they have energy to practice, and remember how to do the exercises correctly. New technologies could make it easier and more fun for stroke survivors to practice exercises on their own. This would hopefully increase the amount of time they spend on rehabilitation, which we know is important for making a good recovery after stroke. It also means that healthcare professional’s time can be used most effectively in face-to-face rehabilitation sessions. NeuroPlatform is a digital application and exercise device that can tell stroke survivors how they’re doing in their practice and increase their motivation to keep it up. Early research has shown the new technology holds promise for encouraging stroke survivors to practice exercises at home. But, before the NeuroPlatform can be made available to stroke survivors across the UK, more research is needed to find out if it can be effectively used in the NHS and at different stages of a stroke survivors’ journey to rebuilding their life.

Lay abstract: It’s very common for stroke survivors to experience difficulty moving their arms and hands after stroke. This can have a huge impact on their day-to-day life and independence. They might not be able to cook and eat meals on their own, and can struggle to get washed and dressed. Physical rehabilitation can help, but for the best chance of treatments making a real difference, stroke survivors must repeat exercises many times, for a long time. This can be a challenge for many reasons. For example, they need to stay motivated, feel they have energy to practice, and remember how to do the exercises correctly. New technologies could make it easier and more fun for stroke survivors to practice exercises on their own. This would hopefully increase the amount of time they spend on rehabilitation, which we know is important for making a good recovery after stroke. It also means that healthcare professional’s time can be used most effectively in face-to-face rehabilitation sessions. NeuroPlatform is a digital application and exercise device that can tell stroke survivors how they’re doing in their practice and increase their motivation to keep it up. Early research has shown the new technology holds promise for encouraging stroke survivors to practice exercises at home. But, before the NeuroPlatform can be made available to stroke survivors across the UK, more research is needed to find out if it can be effectively used in the NHS and at different stages of a stroke survivors’ journey to rebuilding their life.

Research activity codes: 6.7 PHYSICAL
Health categories: STROKE