Effectiveness of Home-Based Telerehabilitation Versus Standard Physiotherapy for Balance Disorders in Stroke and MS: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Starting point: Balance impairments and reduced mobility are common consequences of neurological disorders such as stroke and multiple sclerosis. Effective rehabilitation strategies are essential to improve patients' functional outcomes and quality of life.

Group: A total of 33 participants were enrolled and divided into an experimental group (n = 18) and a control group (n = 15).

Methods: The experimental group underwent a structured 4-week balance training program via the Homebalance telerehabilitation platform. Both groups were assessed at baseline and follow-up using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), EQ-5D utility score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the EQ-5D mobility domain. Paired and independent t-tests were used for statistical comparisons.

Results: Significant within-group improvements in BBS and VAS scores were observed in both groups (p < 0.01). The experimental group showed greater, although not statistically significant, improvement in EQ-5D mobility (–0.412 vs. –0.133; p = 0.079). Changes in utility scores were minimal.

Conclusions: The Homebalance telerehabilitation system demonstrated clinical effectiveness comparable to standard therapy in improving balance and subjective health status. These findings suggest that telerehabilitation may serve as a viable, scalable alternative to conventional therapy for patients with balance deficits