Abstract
Within this critically appraised topic, the aim of this paper was to determine the effectiveness of telehealth interventions for clients recovering from strokes to improve occupational performance. A Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or a stroke is a common medical condition where blood flow to the brain is stopped. This is caused by either a blockage in the blood vessel or a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is ruptured. With that being said, occupational therapists can help clients recovering from strokes to regain their independence by working on their daily occupations that they currently have difficulty completing. Once the client returns to home, they can receive outpatient occupational services. Telehealth can help bridge a gap by connecting occupational therapists to those living in rural or underserved areas by use of a computer or electronic device and internet. Results of this study indicated that individuals 6 months post stroke with upper extremity involvement can show improvement in quality of life. Quality of life improvement domains include physical strength, memory, feelings and emotions, communication, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, mobility, hand function, and meaningful activities. Additional research is warranted in order to rule out the impact of spontaneous recovery or development of compensatory strategies on outcome measures during the course of telerehabilitation.