Acceptability and Attitude towards a Mobile-Based Home Exercise Program among Stroke Survivors and Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract EN

Background.

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and requires continued care after hospital discharge.

Mobile-based interventions are suitable to reduce the cost of stroke rehabilitation and facilitate self-management among stroke survivors.

However, before attempting to use mobile-based home exercise program, it is crucial to recognize the readiness of stroke survivors and their caregivers to opt for such interventions.

Objective.

To assess the acceptability and attitude towards a mobile-based home exercise program among stroke survivors and their primary caregivers.

Methods.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 102 participants to understand their attitude and acceptability towards mobile-based home exercise program.

A validated 10-item questionnaire was adapted for the study.

The questions which assessed the attitude were rated on a three-point Likert scale, with three denoting agree and one denoting disagree.

The acceptability was assessed by their willingness to opt for a mobile-based home program services.

A Chi-square analysis and cross-tabulation were performed to test differences between caregivers and patients.

A logistic regression was performed to determine the effects of age, gender, and mobile phone on acceptability.

Results.

Ninety-two percent of caregivers and 90% of patients showed willingness to opt for mobile-based intervention.

Majority of the participants showed a positive attitude towards this mode of treatment.

There was no difference in the attitude noted among caregivers and patients (p>0.05) towards mobile-based intervention.

Conclusion.

The stroke survivors and caregivers welcomed the concept of mobile-based home exercise program even in a low-resource settings, but further studies to understand treatment and cost-effectiveness of this technology among the stroke survivors would lead to better implementation.