ArmCoach4Stroke: An interactive tool for self-directed, home-based and personalized arm rehabilitation after stroke

Project summary

Intensive rehabilitation is an important predictor for recovery after a stroke, but it is expensive and has limited availability. For example, now only 10% of all stroke patients have access to specialist medical rehabilitation, 30% go to a nursing home with low-intensive treatment and 60% go home, often supported by first-line treatment. With an aging population and the availability of treatment providers available, intensive rehabilitation is coming under even more pressure. That is why this project focuses on independent exercise and practice in the home situation with low intensive remote supervision.The project focuses on optimizing the arm function. After a stroke, approximately 70% of all patients have limited arm function, which interferes with daily activities ranging from self-care, household genomes, recreational activities and resumption of work. The ArmCoach4Stroke project focuses on rehabilitation, medical technology, home treatment and patient management and autonomy, which makes remote monitoring possible through telemonitoring.

The ArmCoach4Stroke project builds on current and ongoing technical and clinical projects in this area with a strong involvement of patients and practitioners. Through co-creation – in which (end) users will play a leading role – we develop a motion sensor-based tool: the ArmCoach4Stroke. Together people are encouraged to use their arm more in daily life and to practice intensively according to an individual exercise exercise program. During the exercise, with the help of the movement sensors, results are calculated on the method of execution, dying via an app and a tablet are immediately fed back to the patient and control the exercise. Part of the information is also fed back to the 1st or 2nd line practitioner. This makes the ArmCoach4Stroke an example of blended care in which the treatment is partly under the direction of the patient and, where necessary, under the direction of a therapist.

Implementation in healthcare is central throughout the project. In the first stages of product definition, patients, practitioners (from both the 1st and 2nd line) and doctors play an important role. Representatives of patient organizations are members of the steering and advisory group. Test applications are also evaluated from the perspective of embedding in healthcare. In the final year, increasing activities will be carried out with the aim of knowledge of application and application, implementation in the various care pathways, and the assistance of further product development.