Table 2 Study characteristics for all 18 quasi-experimental studies
From: Effect of mobile application types on stroke rehabilitation: a systematic review
Author, year | Study design | Intervention | Intervention description | Outcome | Result summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ballard et al., 2019 | Pretest posttest design | Therapy app | Word Trainer: iOS app using ASR to support near-independent practice in word production | Adherence, aphasia scores | No substantial adherence from baseline was shown. However, all participants showed improved word production accuracy and maintenance of gains through the study |
Kerry et al., 2019 | Pretest posttest design | Therapy app | iReadMore: app aimed to retrain whole-word reading by showing users pictures associated with written and spoken words | Aphasia scores | Using iReadMore increased word-reading accuracy for trained words compared to untrained words |
Pugliese et al., 2019 | Pretest posttest design | Therapy app | RecoverNow tablet: device preset with specific therapeutic apps for stroke-induced deficits | Adherence | Adherence to intervention was shown to be poor in this study. Barriers to intervention use were categorized as device, patient, and system. App difficulty was the most frequently encountered barrier |
Requena et al., 2019 | Nonrandomized clinical trial | Reminders | Farmalarm: Android app with visual and audible alerts to increase stroke awareness and treatment adherence | Secondary prevention | The intervention group had more vascular risk factors under control, higher rate of overall vascular risk factors controlled, and higher rate of patients with controlled diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia |
Kamwesiga et al., 2018 | Nonrandomized clinical trial | Reminders | F@ce intervention: 2 SMS messages per day sent to users to work on three pre-set ADL targets | ADLs | F@ce intervention had no effect on ADLs compared to the control group |
Kurland et al., 2018 and 2014 | Pretest posttest design (2014 was a pilot test) | Therapy app | HP iBooks: app with series of semantic, phonemic, and orthographic cueing in pictures, words, and videos to help with naming prior pictures | Aphasia scores | Both the 2014 pilot trial and 2017 study suggest that a tablet-based HP programs support maintenance of post-treatment language gains and naming of pictures in individuals with chronic post-stroke aphasia over short and long-term use |
Sarfo et al., 2018 | Pretest posttest design | Rehab videos | 9zest Stroke Rehab App: delivers individualized, goal-targeted 5 days/week video exercise programs | Motor paresis, adherence, ADLs | Higher scores on the Stroke Levity Scale, modified Rankin score, and Barthel’s index score indicates improved motor paresis and less dependence for ADLs. Increased adherence was found in users whose MoCA scores increased with 9zest |
Stark et al., 2018 | Crossover design | Therapy app | Language Therapy: task based app focused on reading, naming, writing, and comprehension Bejeweled: a spatial awareness and decision mind-game app | Aphasia scores | Aphasia measures via the Comprehensive Aphasia Test and Cookie Theft Picture Description were improved after using the Language Therapy app but not Bejeweled in patients with chronic post-stroke expressive aphasia |
Hald et al., 2017 | Pretest posttest design | Therapy app | WAM: moles appear on app screen for users to tap with negative or positive feedback | Neglect scores | Negative feedback via WAM resulted in faster reaction times whereas positive feedback led to slower reaction times in stroke patients with hemi-spatial neglect |
Lawson et al., 2017 | Pretest posttest design | Therapy app | ARMStrokes: app with 8 upper extremity exercises using phone sensors | Motor paresis, ADLs | Increased upper extremity function (PROM, AROM, coordination) and improved ability to perform ADLs |
Choi et al., 2016 | Pretest posttest design | Therapy app | iAphasia: app with voice-guided tasks based on 6 aphasia therapeutic domains | Aphasia scores | Mean K-WAB scores improved from baseline values, with auditory comprehension, reading, name, and fluency seeing the most benefit |
Kizony et al., 2016 Experiment II only | Pretest posttest design | Therapy app | iPad Apps: combined multiple apps (ScribbleKid PegLight, Tap-it, Bowling game) for hand rehab | Motor paresis | Practice effect leading to better performance was more apparent in users with more hand dexterity at baseline |
Paul et al., 2016 | Nonrandomized clinical trial | Reminders | STARFISH: self and group monitoring app which acts to remind users to do physical activity | Adherence, motor paresis, ADLs, quality of life, secondary prevention, depression/anxiety | Use of STARFISH increased adherence to physical activity but otherwise had no impact on motor function, ADLs, quality of life, secondary prevention, and depression/anxiety |
Sureshkumar et al., 2016 | Pretest posttest design | Education app | Care for Stroke: delivers information about stroke and post stroke disability management on an app | ADLs | This study showed improvement in ADL markers (Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale) between before and after the intervention period |
Seo et al., 2015 | Pretest posttest design | Reminders | KUHMS2: app where users record daily values for vascular risk factors, with alarms messages if values were beyond the normal parameters | Secondary prevention | Regarding secondary prevention, the app improved BP and HbA1c values whereas some positive trends were found for waist circumference and smoking cessation |
Carabeo et al., 2014 | Pretest posttest design | Therapy app | FINDEX: game app focused on fine motor skills via everyday activities | Motor paresis | Fine finger dexterity in the last testing session generally improved compared to the initial measuring session |
Hoover et al., 2014 | Pretest posttest design | Therapy apps | iPad in ICAP–iPad and a variety of apps were used to enhance therapies (PT, OT, CILT), | Quality of life | SIS and ASHA FACS scores were significantly improved from pre to post treatment period, indicating an increased quality of life through an iPad in ICAP |