Telerehabilitation Based Motor Relearning Program and Telerehabilitation Based Conventional Physical Therapy in Stroke

July 21, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Comparative Effects of Telerehabilitation Based Motor Relearning Program and Telerehabilitation Based Conventional Physical Therapy on Motor Function and Balance in Stroke Patients.

This study aims to compare the effects of telerehabilitation based motor relearning program and telerehabilitation based conventional physical therapy on motor function and balance in stroke patients.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Several recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in stroke rehabilitation. An umbrella review published in 2024 evaluated systematic reviews and meta-analyses conducted between 2010 and 2023 and concluded that telerehabilitation is effective in enhancing mobility, upper limb function, and balance in post-stroke patients. The review also emphasized the technology's role in increasing access to rehabilitation services and reducing treatment delays, especially in rural or underserved areas. The findings support the integration of telerehabilitation into standard stroke care practices.

A randomized controlled trial conducted in 2023 on 60 post-stroke patients compared home-based telerehabilitation with traditional outpatient therapy over an 8-week period. Participants in both groups demonstrated significant improvements in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scores. However, the telerehabilitation group reported slightly higher patient satisfaction and adherence, indicating that home-based telerehabilitation is a feasible and effective alternative for improving motor function and balance in stroke survivors.

A longitudinal observational study published in 2022 involving 120 individuals in the subacute and chronic phases of stroke recovery explored balance recovery mechanisms. The findings showed that balance impairments are most responsive to intervention within the first six months after stroke, corresponding with a heightened period of neuroplasticity. The study highlighted the importance of early, structured, and task-specific rehabilitation during this critical phase, supporting the potential application of the Motor Relearning Program (MRP).

A pilot study published in 2021 evaluated the feasibility of delivering task-specific therapy through telerehabilitation using video conferencing. The intervention included functional training exercises for 25 stroke patients aged 45-70 years over six weeks. Significant improvements were observed in trunk control, sit-to-stand transfers, and walking ability, with positive participant feedback and no reported adverse events. The findings suggest that telerehabilitation can effectively deliver neurophysiological principles such as motor learning.

A clinical trial conducted in 2020 involving 40 subacute stroke patients assessed the effectiveness of task-specific training based on the Motor Relearning Program (MRP). Participants performed repetitive, goal-oriented functional tasks, including transfers and walking. After four weeks, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in trunk control and balance compared with the group receiving standard physiotherapy, indicating that MRP is highly effective in improving motor control and coordination when delivered in person.

A systematic review published in 2020 examined 22 randomized trials investigating telerehabilitation interventions for stroke recovery. The findings indicated that telerehabilitation was non-inferior to conventional in-clinic therapy in improving gait, balance, and upper limb function. The review further emphasized that structured and patient-specific telerehabilitation is particularly beneficial during the subacute stage when recovery potential is highest.

A controlled trial published in 2017 assessed the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in improving motor function after stroke. Fifty stroke patients aged 40-70 years were randomly assigned to either a telerehabilitation group or a conventional therapy group. After eight weeks, both groups showed significant improvements in motor function, while the telerehabilitation group achieved superior balance outcomes, demonstrating the effectiveness of remotely delivered motor-focused interventions.

A foundational publication in 2015 described the theoretical framework of the Motor Relearning Program (MRP). The program emphasizes active participation, task analysis, and repetitive practice to retrain functional movements. Based on principles of motor control and neuroplasticity, MRP is considered particularly effective for post-stroke patients during the recovery period of 3-12 months. Although widely accepted for face-to-face rehabilitation, its application through digital platforms remains underexplored.

Another meta-analysis published in 2015 evaluated telerehabilitation programs for stroke patients and concluded that while telerehabilitation improves overall function, many interventions lacked specificity and did not incorporate evidence-based motor learning principles. The findings highlighted the need to strengthen telerehabilitation frameworks through structured approaches such as the Motor Relearning Program.

Despite the increasing adoption of telerehabilitation in post-stroke care, notable gaps remain in the current body of research. No study to date has directly compared conventional telerehabilitation programs, which are typically based on general physiotherapy principles, with telerehabilitation approaches specifically structured around the Motor Relearning Program. While existing evidence supports the use of general telerehabilitation in improving motor function, balance, and participation among stroke survivors, these programs often lack the task-specific, neuroplasticity-driven framework that defines the Motor Relearning Program. Separately, MRP-based interventions delivered in clinical settings have demonstrated superior outcomes in balance, functional mobility, and motor recovery compared to routine therapy. However, a head-to-head comparison between conventional telerehabilitation and MRP-based telerehabilitation has not yet been explored in published literature. Furthermore, most existing studies are limited by small, homogenous sample sizes, non-standardized outcome measures, and the absence of long-term follow-up. The integration of advanced technologies such as wearable sensors and real-time feedback into telerehabilitation protocols also remains underdeveloped. These gaps highlight the urgent need for rigorous, comparative, and technology-integrated research to evaluate the effectiveness of structured, MRP-based telerehabilitation in diverse stroke populations.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 40-70 years.

  • Male or female participants.
  • Diagnosed with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke 3-12 months prior to enrollment.
  • Medically stable and cleared to participate in physical rehabilitation.
  • Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24.
  • Able to understand and follow verbal instructions.
  • Have access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a stable internet connection for telerehabilitation sessions.
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria: * MMSE score <24 or severe cognitive impairment.

  • Presence of other neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis).
  • Uncontrolled hypertension or recent cardiac event.
  • Severe visual, auditory, or communication impairments that prevent participation.
  • Currently enrolled in another structured rehabilitation program.
  • Any musculoskeletal or medical condition that would interfere with safe participation in the intervention.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Telerehabilitation-Based Motor Relearning Program (MRP)
Participants in this arm will receive a structured Motor Relearning Program delivered through telerehabilitation via secure video conferencing. The intervention will consist of task-specific, goal-oriented exercises focusing on trunk control, balance, functional transfers, gait training, and coordination. Sessions will be conducted three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting 45-60 minutes under the remote supervision of a physiotherapist.
Other: Telerehabilitation Based Motor Relearning Program
Participants will receive a Motor Relearning Program (MRP) delivered through secure video conferencing under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The intervention will be provided 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks (18 sessions total). Each session will last 45-60 minutes, including a warm-up, task-specific functional training, and cool-down. Exercises include sitting and standing balance training, trunk control, sit-to-stand practice, upper limb reaching, trunk rotation, weight-shifting, step training, walking practice, stair simulation, obstacle negotiation, dual-task activities, community mobility simulation, and functional transfer training. Exercise intensity will be moderate and progressively increased according to the participant's tolerance and functional performance.
Other Names:
  • MRP
  • Tas-Specific Motor Relearning
  • Telerehabilitation MRP
Experimental: Telerehabilitation-Based Conventional Physical Therapy
Participants in this arm will receive conventional physical therapy delivered through telerehabilitation via secure video conferencing. The intervention will include range-of-motion exercises, stretching, strengthening, balance training, gait exercises, and functional mobility activities. Sessions will be conducted three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting 45-60 minutes under the remote supervision of a physiotherapist.
Other: Conventional physical therapy
Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy through secure video conferencing under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The intervention will be provided 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks (18 sessions total). Each session will last 45-60 minutes, including a warm-up, exercise session, and cool-down. The program consists of active-assisted and active range-of-motion exercises, stretching, breathing exercises, strengthening exercises, weight-shifting activities, marching in place, gait training, dynamic mobility exercises, and light resistance exercises using Theraband where appropriate. Exercise intensity will be moderate and adjusted according to each participant's tolerance and clinical progress.
Other Names:
  • Standard physical therapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) Motor Function Score
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Change in motor function will be assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). The FMA evaluates motor recovery of the upper and lower extremities, with higher scores indicating better motor function.
Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Berg Balance Scale (BBS) Score
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Balance performance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The scale consists of 14 functional balance tasks, with higher scores indicating better balance.
Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test by measuring the time required for a participant to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit down. Lower completion times indicate better functional mobility.
Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Misbah Waris, phd, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 5, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 6, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 6, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 21, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 21, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 24, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 21, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/RCR & AHS/25/0201

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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