OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention using video to deliver therapy at home for stroke patients. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The neurology ward and Rehabilitation Medicine department of a tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Stroke patients. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention group received a combination of at-home rehabilitation guided by a digital video disc (DVD) containing therapy techniques and twice-monthly outpatient follow up for 3 months. The conventional therapy group (control) attended weekly outpatient therapy sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the modified Barthel Index (MBI) score. The secondary measures were the incidence of post-stroke complications and the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI). RESULTS: There were 44 patients in the intervention group and 46 patients in the control group. At 3 months, there were no significant differences with regard to number of patients with improved MBI score, complication rate, or CSI score between the two groups. Both groups had significant increases in MBI score at 3 months (p < 0.001 for both groups). Regression analysis revealed that only stroke severity significantly influenced the MBI score (p < 0.001), complication rate (p < 0.01), and caregiver stress level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Video-based therapy at home for post-acute stroke patients is safe, does not negatively impact independence, and is not stressful for caregivers.

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