Publication:

Tele-cognitive training on patients with stroke: a protocol of a feasibility randomized controlled study

Background Traditional in-person cognitive rehabilitation is often inaccessible to patients due to physical limitations, travel constraints, and financial barriers. On the other hand, home-based cognitive training programs frequently lack therapist supervision. This study protocol aims to explore the feasibility of therapist-led tele-cognitive training (TCR) delivered through videoconferencing for patients with post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).

Methods In this randomised feasibility study, 58 patients will be randomly assigned to intervention or treatment-as-usual (TAU) groups. The intervention group will receive 18 comprehensive tele-cognitive training sessions (4-5 per week). Cognitive assessments will include the digit span, Corsi-block tapping, controlled oral word association, animal naming, Stroop, auditory verbal learning, and design construction tests. Secondary outcomes will include the modified Barthel index, stroke-specific quality of life questionnaire, hospital anxiety and depression scale, NIMHANS cognitive screening scale, perceived deficit questionnaire, neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire (NPI-Q), and visual analogue scale (VAS). Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). A feasibility questionnaire will be completed post-training by the intervention group and the researcher, and a three-month follow-up (T2) with rating scales will assess longer-term outcomes.

Conclusions This study protocol aims to enhance remote access to cognitive retraining, particularly in low- to middle-income countries. Trial registration: Trials registry of India, no. CTRI/2023/02/049481.