Telework and telerehabilitation programs for workers with a stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic: A commentary

1. Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an unprecedented crisis in all social, economic and health areas [1, 2]. The immediate response has been physical distancing (i.e., limiting social gatherings, restricting public transportation systems, restricting certain businesses, etc.) as an attempt to slow down the spread of virus [3]. Healthcare facilities have been restricted to more urgent cases, and most rehabilitation treatments, especially those related to chronic conditions, have been suspended to try and protect the most vulnerable patients. However, the continuation of rehabilitation programs for certain chronic conditions, such as stroke, is vital for recovery of patients [4]. Indeed, under the current physical distancing precautions, a large number of patients cannot benefit from appropriate services and many of their treatments have unfortunately been suspended. Given the unprecedented nature of this pandemic, and the uncertain timing of the mandatory suspension of important rehabilitation services, there are two questions we have raised: First, what is the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with a stroke? Second, what solutions are available to promote recovery within this population?

2. Effects of COVID-19 on individuals with stroke

Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability and mortality, worldwide [5]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15 million people suffer from a stroke annually, of which five million are left permanently debilitated [6]. Stroke is associated with depression and physical disability, which limit Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), social engagement, and overall decreased quality of life [7, 8]. Stroke causes an economic burden at both the individual and societal level [9]. The treatment programs after stroke are an intensive and indefinite course of therapy, and include a variety of rehabilitation programs, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, orthotic treatment, and speech and language therapy [10, 11]. These programs are typically intensively administered early post-stroke to optimize the window of endogenous plasticity and recovery of impairment and function [12]. It is also important to consider the significant effect of depression that not uncommonly occurs secondary to a stroke; depression has been shown to reduce an individual’s motivation to follow their rehabilitation programs [7]. As such, a therapists’ supervision and follow-up are vital in achieving successful treatment programs following a stroke. These intensive programs and ongoing treatments can increase the chance of returning to their vocation post-stroke [13].

Unfortunately, many rehabilitation facilities have suspended treatment programs for patients with a stroke to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Suspension of such services are likely detrimental to overall health post-stroke; in fact, Zhou et al. [14] reported a higher mortality rate in people with comorbidity such as stroke, after being infected by COVID-19. Given the importance of rehabilitation programs in recovery of individuals with a stroke, physical distancing has caused the loss of recovery both intensively during the optimal time window and ongoing with guidance. Additionally, the fear of being infected with COVID-19 has exacerbated depression and stress in vulnerable patients with a stroke [15]. With all these in consideration, COVID-19 isolation is associated with physical and mental consequences for patients with a stroke, such as depression, motor dysfunction, decreased physical activity and a delay in returning to work [16].

3. Potential solutions

Telerehabilitation can help to provide the support and care for patients with a stroke while reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission [17]. Telerehabilitation is the use of technology to communicate between the patient and the therapist, and deliver the rehabilitation programs at a distance [18]. A randomized clinical trial conducted by Cramer et al. [19] indicated that telerehabilitation as usual rehabilitation is an effective strategy in improving arm motor function for adults with a stroke. Also, Øra et al. [20] investigated the feasibility and acceptability of speech and language therapy by videoconference in individuals with aphasia following stroke, which resulted in improvement in language function. Telerehabilitation not only lead to improvement of the quality of life in individuals with stroke, but also decreased depression in their caregivers [21]. There are, however, challenges associated with using technology in the delivery of health programs to patients with a stroke, especially older adults, such as lack of knowledge and education and confidence towards using technology [22]. Despite this, adoption of alternative methods for delivering health programs is critical to allow monitoring, guidance, and support by healthcare professionals. Given the majority of people with a stroke are adults aged greater than 65 years old, telephone screening can potentially augment the effect of telehealth programs positively. Telephone is the most common delivery method for telerehabilitation programs for older adults [23]; it could therefore be used to establish the treatment plan for patients with a stroke [24]. Furthermore, family members or caregivers can help the patients with a stroke to receive the online healthcare programs.

4. Teleworking

Telework is a flexible way of working at a remote location that was suggested to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Unfortunately, telework has several challenges, such as lack of motivation to work, and issues with ergonomics [25]. Of course, this is not unique to patients who suffer from a stroke, but is li-kely to be one of many things that is more difficult to perform in comparison to the person without disability [26]. Thankfully, telework can be helpful for patients with physical disability secondary to a stroke. This is important, as returning to work is asso-ciated with increased self-esteem and quality of life in patients with a stroke [27]. However, about half of the individuals with a stroke do not return to work [28]. This is not surprising as most jobs require good physical condition, adequate speech and language function, attention, etc. Based on a previous systema-tic review, functional dependency and cognitive ability are the most common factors influencing return to work [16]. Returning to work for someone using an assistive device such as a brace or wheelchair is challenging and the extra physical task of commuting to work is fatiguing [29]. Telework can be a potential solution to decrease the disruptions in daily work life for patients with a stroke by overcoming the inherent barriers that follow such a difficult experience. Using telework, the individual will be able to balance between their fatigue and working hours while ac-hieving maximum productivity. In addition, telework can reduce psychological stress associated with unpredictable frustration and impaired cognitions.

5. Conclusion

Rehabilitation programs following a stroke can facilitate returning to work and in turn improve overall quality of life. In the midst of a pandemic, alternative methods of providing rehabilitation and ongoing work are needed to optimize overall recovery in a safe and effective manner. Telerehabilitation and telework are the potential solutions to effectively deliver this need while reducing the COVID-19 transmission, cost [30] and geographical boundaries of inaccessible rehabilitation facilities for patients with a stroke. While some work supports the use of tele-modalities, additional research is needed to further determine barriers associated with distance rehab/work, the efficacy of specific telerehabilitation interventions, and effective implementation of telerehabilitation programs.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interests with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.