Telerehabilitation service impact on physical function and adherence compared to face‐to‐face rehabilitation in patients with stroke: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Objectives The purposes of this systematic review and meta‐analysis were to (1) appraise the available evidence of telerehabilitation program effects on functional outcomes, adherence, and patient satisfaction compared to face‐to‐face programs after stroke; and (2) provide direction for future outcome measure selection and development for clinical research purposes. Type Systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials. Literature survey MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Proquest Theses and Dissertations, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Clinical trials.gov were searched for studies published in English from 1964 to the end of April 2022. Methodology A total of 6450 studies were identified, 13 were included in the systematic review, and 10 with at least 3 reported similar outcomes were included the meta‐analysis. Methodological quality of results was evaluated using the PEDro checklist. Synthesis Telerehabilitation demonstrated equivalency in outcomes across several domains and was favored compared to conventional face to face alone or when paired with semisupervised physical therapy on Wolf Motor Function performance score (mean difference [MD] 1.69 points, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21–3.17) and time score (MD 2.07 seconds, 95% CI −4.04 to −0.10, Q test = 30.27, p < .001, I 2 = 93%), and Functional Mobility Assessment in the upper extremities (MD 3.32 points, 95% CI 0.90–5.74, Q test = 5.60, p = .23, I 2 = 29% alone or when paired with semisupervised physical therapy). The Barthel Index participation measures of function demonstrated improvement (MD 4.18 points, 95% CI, 1.79–6.57, Q test = 3.56, p = .31, I 2 = 16%). Over half of summarized study ratings were determined to be of good to excellent quality (PEDro score 6.6 ± 2.3 points). Adherence varied in available studies from 75%–100%. Satisfaction levels of telerehabilitation were highly variable. Conclusions Telerehabilitation can improve functional outcomes and promote therapy adherence after stroke. Therapy protocols and functional assessments need substantial refinement and standardization to improve interpretation and clinical outcomes.