Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Telerehabilitation Decision Support System: Pilot Testing Protocol

This study is looking at a new online exercise system called TeleRehab DSS. It’s designed to help people who have conditions like stroke, mild memory problems, inner ear issues causing dizziness (vestibular disease), or long Covid. The system uses special technology, including hologram coaches, to guide you through exercises for balance and movement. The main goal of this small pilot study is to check if the system is easy to use and if there are any technical problems that need fixing. This will help make sure the system is ready for a bigger study later on. You would take part in exercise sessions for three weeks, and researchers would monitor your progress.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University College, London

Enrolment target

Start

25 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

29 Aug 2025

Stroke Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)Vestibular Disease Long Covid-19

What is this study about?

This study, called TeleRehab DSS, is trying out a new way to help people with conditions like stroke, mild memory problems, dizziness from inner ear issues, or long COVID. The aim is to improve their balance and movement. Researchers have developed a special online exercise system that acts like a physiotherapist, guiding you through exercises from the comfort of your own home.

The system is quite clever! It uses technology, including a hologram of a physiotherapist, to show you the exercises. Sensors monitor how you’re doing and give you real-time feedback, just like a coach would. This means the system can tell if you need to adjust your movements and even suggest changes to your exercise plan as you get better. The idea is to make rehabilitation both effective and convenient, especially for people who might find it difficult to travel to appointments.

Because this is a new system, this particular study is a 'pilot test'. This means it's a smaller, initial trial to iron out any kinks. We want to make sure the technology works smoothly, that people find it easy to use, and that the process is clear before we try it with many more people in a larger study. Your participation would be really helpful in perfecting this new approach to rehabilitation.

Key takeaways

This study tries out a new online exercise system called TeleRehab DSS.
It uses special tech, like holograms, to guide exercises for balance and movement.
It's for people with conditions like stroke, mild memory problems, or long COVID.
The main goal is to check how well the system works and if it's easy to use.
You'll attend clinic sessions twice a week for three weeks and have remote check-ins.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would generally need to be between 40 and 80 years old and able to walk 500 meters (about a quarter of a mile) by yourself or with a walking stick. It's also important that you don't have severe visual problems and that you're willing to follow the study's exercise plan. You shouldn't have any current injuries that would stop you from exercising, or have had balance or memory rehabilitation in the last eight weeks. Additionally, you can't have certain medical devices like a pacemaker or other serious neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease.

Beyond these general requirements, you also need to fit into one of the specific groups the study is looking at. For example, if you've had a stroke, it needs to have been at least three months ago, and you might be at risk of falls. If you have mild memory problems, a doctor needs to have diagnosed this, and you also might be at risk of falls. There are similar specific criteria if you have issues with your inner ear causing dizziness.

Quick self-check

Are you between 40 and 80 years old?
Can you walk about 500 metres (a quarter mile) with or without a stick?
Do you have good enough eyesight to use a computer?
Have you had a stroke, mild memory problems, inner ear dizziness, or long COVID?
Have you NOT had balance or memory exercises in the last 8 weeks?
Do you NOT have serious conditions like a pacemaker or Parkinson's disease?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you join the study, you'll first have an assessment at a clinic, which includes checks of your memory and how you walk. If you're eligible, you'll provide some personal details and complete health questionnaires. You'll then be randomly placed into one of two groups that use the TeleRehab DSS system slightly differently.

For three weeks, you will attend the clinic twice a week for supervised exercise sessions. During these sessions, you'll use the special exercise system, which includes wearing motion sensors. A staff member will be on hand to help with any questions. After three weeks, the system will suggest how to make your exercises harder, and the clinical team will decide if they agree with these suggestions.

Throughout the study, you'll receive weekly phone calls to check on your progress. There will also be three remote reviews (at 3, 6, and 9 weeks) where a research team member will assess and adjust your exercises if needed. If you have any concerns, you can contact the research team during working hours. If you miss exercises for three days in a row, the team will get an alert to check in with you.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several potential benefits, such as improving your balance and movement through a personalised exercise programme, and the convenience of a remote exercise system. You would also be helping to develop a new, innovative way to provide rehabilitation. As with any exercise programme, there’s a small risk of discomfort or minor injury, but the exercises are monitored, and clinicians will be present during sessions to assist. You will also be in regular contact with the research team. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (5)

University Medical Center Freiberg Neurocenter (UKLFR), Freiberg,
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Athens, Greece
Secretaria Regional de Saúde e Proteção Civil da Região Autónoma da Madeira
Madeira, Portugal
King Chulalongeorn Memorial Hospital
Bangkok, Thailand
University College London
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'hologram of a physiotherapist'?

It's like a 3D image of a physiotherapist that appears to guide you through the exercises on the screen, showing you exactly what to do.

What are 'exergames'?

Exergames are video games that also give you a physical workout. They make exercising more fun and engaging.

What does 'multisensory balance and gait exercises' mean?

These are exercises that involve more than one of your senses (like sight and touch) and help improve your balance and the way you walk.

What is a 'pilot study'?

A pilot study is a small, initial test of a new treatment or system. It helps the researchers find and fix any problems before a bigger study is done.

Will I have to pay to join this study?

No, you will not have to pay to take part in this research study.

How to find out more

Doris-Eva Bamiou, PhD

d.bamiou@ucl.ac.uk +44 07813716768 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.