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http://hdl.handle.net/11375/30192
Title: | Exploring the Intersection Between Sex- and Gender-based Considerations and Exercise-based Telerehabilitation in Individuals with Stroke |
Authors: | Wiley, Elise |
Advisor: | Tang, Ada |
Department: | Rehabilitation Science |
Keywords: | Stroke;Sex;Gender;Telerehabilitation |
Publication Date: | 2024 |
Abstract: | Sex- and gender-based factors disproportionally impact stroke recovery in women, and thus there is an urgent need for rehabilitation scientists to consider innovative forms of delivering stroke rehabilitation to optimize their participation, physical and psychosocial outcomes. Telerehabilitation which involves minimal travel requirements and costs may help overcome barriers related to accessing rehabilitation services. This PhD thesis is comprised of three studies that had an overarching aim of examining the intersection between sex- and gender-based considerations and exercise-based telerehabilitation among individuals with stroke. The first study was a scoping review of 38 primary research studies exploring facilitators and barriers to participation in exercise-based telerehabilitation in men and women with stroke. We reported many facilitators related to environmental factors including variety of games or exercises, convenience/flexibility of the training schedule, accessibility, strong communication skills possessed by therapists, and self-reported improvements in physical function. Challenges with internet connectivity and wearing and/or adjusting the technological device(s) used were the most commonly reported barriers. Both men and women reported being satisfied with the intervention components and possessed knowledge to participate. The second study aimed to explore participants’ experiences with a synchronously-delivered 4-week lower extremity-focused telerehabilitation program. Participants corroborated many of the facilitators identified in our scoping review, in addition to telerehabilitation providing opportunities to extend the continuum of stroke recovery. The third study included multiple case studies of 6 participants involved with the 4-week exercise-based telerehabilitation, whereby we explored sex- and gender-based factors that could potentially explain the responses in performance-based strength and health-related quality of life. We reported that factors such as stroke type and marital status of female participants could have helped explain their more favourable responses in contrast to males. Overall, this thesis provided preliminary evidence of the use of telerehabilitation as a viable means of delivering stroke rehabilitation to women. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/30192 |
Appears in Collections: | Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Wiley_Elise_A_finalsubmission202409_PhD.pdf | Elise Wiley PhD Thesis | 4.94 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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