Nurse-led telerehabilitation intervention to improve stroke efficacy: Protocol for a pilot randomized feasibility trial

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of stroke continues to rise in low-middle income countries. The continual rise in stroke cases and increasing prevalence on post-acute needs represent a crucial call for increased accessibility and utilization of rehabilitation services. AIM: The primary objective of the study is to test the feasibility of a nurse-led telerehabilitation intervention in improving self-efficacy among stroke survivors. The findings of the trial are intended for use in a future larger study. METHODS: Participants would be recruited at the University of Ghana Hospital and randomized into an intervention group and a control group. Participants aged ≥ 18 years, diagnosed of stroke at most 12months prior the recruitment and requiring moderate level of assistance would be considered for eligibility. Participants in the intervention group will receive individualized and comprehensive nurse-led rehabilitation therapies in physical, emotional, cognitive and nursing education domains for 6 months, in addition to treatment as usual (TAU). The control group will only receive treatment as usual. Follow-up evaluations will occur immediately, 30 days and 90 days after the intervention. DISCUSSION: Providing stroke rehabilitation services in low-resource settings presents a significant challenge due to limited infrastructure and a lack of trained healthcare professionals. The current study has the potential of contributing to the growing body of evidence on the impact of telerehabilitation services in mitigating these challenges in low-resource settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PACTR202210685104862, Pan African Clinical Trial Registry.