CITATIONS
1. Lawson, D. W., Stolwyk, R. J., Ponsford, J. L., McKenzie, D. P., Downing, M. G., & Wong, D. (2020). Telehealth delivery of memory rehabilitation following stroke. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 26(1), 58-71.
2. Lawson, D. W., Stolwyk, R. J., Ponsford, J. L., Baker, K. S., Tran, J., & Wong, D. (2020). Acceptability of telehealth in post-stroke memory rehabilitation: A qualitative analysis. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 1-21.
SUMMARY
The first article investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of a 6-week compensatory memory strategy training program delivered to 46 stroke survivors using either remote videoconferencing or traditional face-to-face delivery methods. Results support the feasibility and effectiveness of telehealth for remote delivery of compensatory memory skills training following a stroke. More specifically, results demonstrate equivalent levels of improved subjective and functional memory performance and attainment of personal functional goals (e.g., remembering peoples’ names) in both groups. Of note, recruitment rate was higher for the telehealth condition which the authors interpret as secondary to 1. a wider geographic scope and 2. unmet needs for rehabilitation services in remote areas. While technical problems did occur, they were negligible and did not pose a barrier to intervention delivery.
The second article examined the acceptability of the same 6-week compensatory memory skills videoconferencing program among stakeholders (clinicians and participants) using a semi-structured interview and qualitative thematic analysis approach. Reports from participants and clinicians were positive and identified the benefits of increasing service delivery and availability using a remote telehealth platform. The videoconferencing was usable by the participants who were post-stroke and occasional technical issues were not detrimental to service delivery and even served to enhance rapport. Clinicians also recognized the added advantage of utilizing the participant’s home environment to help understand barriers and enhance transfer of strategies and skills in the everyday environment. Overall, stakeholders conveyed that the use of videoconferencing was a valuable mode of delivery to increase access to needed rehabilitation.
I CHOSE THESE ARTICLES in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, clinicians are relying on telehealth to deliver services. As such, we are in need of well validated telerehabilitation tools and research demonstrating noninferiority of video as compared to in-person intervention methods. It is also paramount that clinicians and patients find these newly adapted methods satisfactory and have evidence that inevitable technological issues do not hinder outcomes.
THIS MONTH’S REHABILITATION SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT was chosen by Alyssa Weakley, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at University of California, Davis Medical Center. Dr. Weakley is also an early career member of the APA Division 22 Science Committee.