Digital Interventions for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review of Delivery Method, Content, and Outcome.
4 affiliations
- 1Doctoral Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia.
- 2Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia.
- 3Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia.
- 4Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia.
Abstract
Background
Digital technologies are increasingly used to extend post-stroke rehabilitation and recovery support beyond conventional face-to-face services. However, the evidence remains heterogeneous in delivery, intervention content, and outcomes assessed.Purpose
To map the delivery method, intervention content, and reported outcomes of digital interventions supporting post-stroke rehabilitation and recovery.Methods
This scoping review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR. PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Taylor and Francis Online, and ScienceDirect were searched, with the final search conducted on 26 January 2026, supplemented by manual searches of relevant reference lists. Eligible studies included adults aged ≥18 years post-stroke and digital interventions supporting rehabilitation or recovery. We extracted and analyzed 21 source-verified studies descriptively and narratively.Results
Delivery methods were mapped using a two-dimensional framework. Based on the level of professional interaction, studies were classified as clinician-supported remote rehabilitation (n=8), hybrid or clinician-facilitated digital rehabilitation (n=9), or primarily self-directed or patient-facing interventions (n=4). The technological mechanisms were considered non-mutually exclusive and included digital content or applications, telecommunication, virtual reality or exergaming, wearable or motion-sensing technologies, physiological monitoring, automated feedback or cueing, and remote data monitoring. Intervention content was mapped to motor and mobility exercises, stroke education and self-management, balance and postural training, and task-oriented training or occupational therapy; one study reported remote functional assessment rather than active rehabilitation content (n=1). Reported outcomes were categorized into physical and functional outcomes; emotional, behavioral, and patient-reported outcomes; cognitive and knowledge outcomes; and clinical and health outcomes.Conclusion
Digital post-stroke interventions comprise diverse combinations of professional support, technological mechanisms, rehabilitation content, and outcomes. The evidence is best interpreted as a descriptive map rather than confirmation of effectiveness. Future studies should more clearly specify intervention components, standardize outcome assessment where appropriate, and examine long-term feasibility, accessibility, and scalability.
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BibTeX
@article{prasetyo2026digital,
title = {{Digital Interventions for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review of Delivery Method, Content, and Outcome.}},
author = {Agus Prasetyo and Iqbal Pramukti and Titis Kurniawan and Emilliano Emilliano},
journal = {Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2147/jmdh.s629116},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928784},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Digital Interventions for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review of Delivery Method, Content, and Outcome.
AU - Agus Prasetyo
AU - Iqbal Pramukti
AU - Titis Kurniawan
AU - Emilliano Emilliano
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare
DO - 10.2147/jmdh.s629116
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928784
AB - Background Digital technologies are increasingly used to extend post-stroke rehabilitation and recovery support beyond conventional face-to-face services. However, the evidence remains heterogeneous in delivery, intervention content, and outcomes assessed.Purpose To map the delivery method, intervention content, and reported outcomes of digital interventions supporting post-stroke rehabilitation and recovery.Methods This scoping review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR. PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Taylor and Francis Online, and ScienceDirect were searched, with the final search conducted on 26 January 2026, supplemented by manual searches of relevant reference lists. Eligible studies included adults aged ≥18 years post-stroke and digital interventions supporting rehabilitation or recovery. We extracted and analyzed 21 source-verified studies descriptively and narratively.Results Delivery methods were mapped using a two-dimensional framework. Based on the level of professional interaction, studies were classified as clinician-supported remote rehabilitation (n=8), hybrid or clinician-facilitated digital rehabilitation (n=9), or primarily self-directed or patient-facing interventions (n=4). The technological mechanisms were considered non-mutually exclusive and included digital content or applications, telecommunication, virtual reality or exergaming, wearable or motion-sensing technologies, physiological monitoring, automated feedback or cueing, and remote data monitoring. Intervention content was mapped to motor and mobility exercises, stroke education and self-management, balance and postural training, and task-oriented training or occupational therapy; one study reported remote functional assessment rather than active rehabilitation content (n=1). Reported outcomes were categorized into physical and functional outcomes; emotional, behavioral, and patient-reported outcomes; cognitive and knowledge outcomes; and clinical and health outcomes.Conclusion Digital post-stroke interventions comprise diverse combinations of professional support, technological mechanisms, rehabilitation content, and outcomes. The evidence is best interpreted as a descriptive map rather than confirmation of effectiveness. Future studies should more clearly specify intervention components, standardize outcome assessment where appropriate, and examine long-term feasibility, accessibility, and scalability.
SN - 1178-2390
ER -