SINGAPORE — Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) are testing the effectiveness of rehabilitating stroke patients in their homes, by using technology to allow therapists to remotely monitor their progress and exercises.
The clinical trials, which started in December, mean that patients will not have to go for centre-based rehabilitation, overcoming barriers such as the inconvenience of travelling to and fro, and having caregivers take time off work to accompany the patient.
Principal investigator Gerald Koh is also hopeful that this tele-rehabilitation could be more cost-effective in the long-term.
He estimated that each tele-rehabilitation session costs about S$100, and while more expensive than a centre-based one, is still more affordable than a home visit by a therapist which costs between S$150 and S$250 per session.
