Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Versus Conventional Rehabilitation on Motor Function and Activities of…

ReviewNeuroRehabilitation· Aug 2026

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Versus Conventional Rehabilitation on Motor Function and Activities of Daily Living After Stroke: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Kainat Shehzadi, Tiberiu Tătaru

Stroke RehabilitationReviewQ2IF 1.9

One dose-matched trial found home telerehabilitation noninferior for arm motor recovery after stroke.

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Versus Conventional Rehabilitation on Motor Function and Activities of Daily Living After Stroke: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Kainat Shehzadi, Tiberiu Tătaru

NeuroRehabilitation · Aug 2026 · Q2 in Rehabilitation

Background

Although telerehabilitation is an increasingly popular method for delivering physiotherapy remotely, its efficacy compared with traditional in person therapy for stroke patients remains uncertain.

Purpose

This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of telerehabilitation compared with conventional physiotherapy on motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, FMA) and activities of daily living (Barthel Index) in stroke patients.

Results

arm recovery scores nearly identical, telerehab not worse than in person therapy

adjusted difference 0.06 (95% CI -2.14 to 2.26)

CI crosses the null - not significant

More results

Shamweel and Gupta found no post-treatment FMA-UE difference (p = .337).

Two trials were judged low risk of bias and two had some concerns.

Certainty was very low for motor and ADL outcomes because of inconsistency, indirectness, and imprecision, with additional risk-of-bias concerns.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Telerehabilitation can produce clinically relevant gains, and one adequately powered dose-matched trial supports noninferiority for arm motor recovery.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

The evidence does not establish general superiority over equivalent in-person rehabilitation. Larger trials should match content and dose, prespecify comparative estimands, and report standardized outcomes.

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Versus Conventional Rehabilitation on Motor Function and Activities of Daily Living After Stroke: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Versus Conventional Rehabilitation on Motor Function and Activities of Daily Living After Stroke: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

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