Comparing Tele-CPASS and In-Person CPASS Therapy for Upper Extremity Recovery After Stroke

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a home-based telerehabilitation program called tele-CPASS is as effective as an in-person rehabilitation program CPASS for improving arm and hand function after stroke. Stroke survivors often face long-term difficulties using the affected arm, and access to in-person therapy can be limited by factors like transportation and geography. The study aims to compare the benefits of remote therapy against standard clinic-based care in a controlled trial setting. Participants who recently had a stroke will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving 20 hours of therapist-guided, task-specific upper extremity training in person at a clinic, and the other receiving the same amount of therapy remotely at home through a secure telehealth platform. Both therapies focus on repetitive practice of meaningful daily tasks based on patient-selected goals and are delivered over approximately 2 to 3 weeks. The tele-CPASS group may receive equipment to support remote sessions, while the in-person group attends clinic visits. Participants will undergo assessments before therapy, immediately after, and at 6 and 12 months afterward. These include clinical evaluations of arm function using the Action Research Arm Test, measurement of real-world arm use with wrist-worn accelerometers, and surveys of social participation using the Stroke Impact Scale. This study uses a non-inferiority design to determine if remote therapy is not worse than in-person care, potentially expanding accessible stroke recovery options. The total participation duration spans the initial therapy period plus one year of follow-up.

Efficacy of Tele-CPASS Compared to In-person CPASS Therapy for Upper Extremity Motor Recovery