Gait impairments following stroke significantly reduce functional mobility, making walking recovery a primary rehabilitation goal to improve safety, speed, and quality of life while reducing fall risk. Delivering interventions at home via technology can enhance adherence to home exercise programmes and increase therapy frequency and intensity. This study aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the Stroke Telerehabilitation for Enhanced Performance in Gait via Technology (STEP-Tech) intervention for patients with stroke in Saudi Arabia. The intervention will be delivered by trained physiotherapists in two phases. Phase one will take place in an outpatient setting, during which patients may require approximately three sessions over one week. Phase two will be home-based for four weeks.
People with stroke aged > 18 years living in Saudi Arabia.
Diagnosed with ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke.
People with stroke in the late-subacute or chronic phase ( ≥ 3 months after stroke onset).
Patients can walk indoors for at least 10 meters with supervision and/or an assistive device (cane or walker).
Patient with severe spasticity and contracture in the lower extremity (Modified Ashworth Scale 3 or 4).
Unable to understand instructions to participate in the study and to give consent (due to severe cognitive impairments).
Severe communication deficit or complete aphasia.
Patients have another neurological condition (e.g., multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease) or a pre-stroke health condition that includes a gait disorder.
University of Exeter
Lead sponsor
Najran University
Collaborator
Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City
Collaborator
Aseer Central Hospital
Collaborator