Bizovičar 2017.
Methods | RCT | |
Participants | Recruited from patients discharged from inpatient stroke rehabilitation in Slovenia Inclusion criteria: stroke, requiring help with ADLs (FIM score 40 to 80) Exclusion criteria: orthopaedic problems, other neurological diseases and severe health complications that would prevent participation Age: intervention group mean 70, control group mean 63 Gender: intervention group 60% men, control group 40% men Time post‐stroke: intervention group mean 8.2 months, control group mean 5.1 months |
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Interventions | Telerehabilitation: participants were taught how to use a computer tablet and access selected videos on a web portal. Training focused on posture and exercises for the neck, shoulders, torso, and upper limbs. The participant was asked to do exercises daily 3 months after discharge from the rehabilitation setting. Therapists interviewed the participant and relatives once a week during which they checked adherence to exercises, answered questions, monitored progress, and adjusted the content of the exercise programme, as required. Control intervention: classified as usual care. Were provided with oral and written instructions for similar exercises. The person was instructed to do the exercises of their choice and abilities 1 to 2 times per day. |
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Outcomes | Timing of outcome assessment: baseline and 3 months after randomisation Measures: joint flexibility, Modified Ashworth Scale, Visual Analogue Scale for Pain Assessment, Motor Assessment Scale, Wolf Motor Function Test, Fugl Meyer Assessment |
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Notes | ||
Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Method not reported |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Method not reported |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | Unable to determine |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | No information provided about whether or not there were withdrawals |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Unclear risk | No protocol or trial registration available |
Other bias | Low risk | None noted |