Predicting interest to use mobile-device telerehabilitation (mRehab) by baby-boomers with stroke

Context and purpose: Demand for stroke rehabilitation services are reaching unprecedented levels due to an overall population aging, driven by the aging of the baby-boomer generation. Delivery of rehabilitation via mobile-device technologies may provide advantages towards meeting the increasing demands on the rehabilitation system by providing individuals with rehabilitation services in their homes and communities. The aim of this paper is to gain an understanding of the interest of current baby-boomers with stroke to use mobile-device technology to receive rehabilitation services such as education, assessments and exercise programs (mRehab).

Methods: People living in the community with stroke born between 1946 and 1964 (i.e., baby-boomer generation) who participated in a larger telerehabilitation survey were included in this study. Regression modeling was used to evaluate personal, health/disability and technological predictors of interest to use mobile-devices for telerehabilitation.

Results and significance: Fifty people with stroke, mean age 62.7 (4.4) years, 58% male, 54.2% with moderate or moderately severe disability were included; 86% had access to a mobile phone or tablet. Regression analysis resulted in statistically significant personal (education, β = 0.29 [95% CI = 0.05 to 1.11], population of residence, β = 0.30 [95% CI = 0.07 to 0.69]), health (comorbid conditions, β = 0.30 [95% CI = 0.02 to 0.20]) technology (ownership, β = 0.26 [95% CI = 0.01 to 0.86] and attitude towards telerehabilitation, β = 0.25 [95% CI = 0.01 to 0.79]) predictors of interest to use mobile-devices for telerehabilitation (R2 = 33.1%).