Utilising interactive technology for stroke patient education: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose

As a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, how to effectively manage and prevent stroke is a key consideration for health care systems. Throughout the world stroke management recommendations include education; however, not all patients receive this intervention. Advances in technology have provided health professionals with a range of innovative, effective, and modern tools that may be useful in delivering stroke education. This study aimed to systematically review the current evidence for the use of interactive technology in stroke patient education, and whether this was effective for increasing patients’ stroke knowledge and behaviours that lower stroke risk.

Methods and materials

The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (#225223) and a literature search undertaken in Embase (including MEDLINE and PubMed), PsycInfo and CINAHL from inception until August 2022. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included articles.

Results

From an initial yield of 760 articles, 10 articles met the study inclusion criteria. The articles explored a range of interactive technologies, with none of them includes articles using the same technology. All of the articles reported at least one positive effect from the technology. Two articles reported on stroke incidence post-intervention. The methodological quality of the articles varied, but was largely medium to high.

Conclusion

The paucity of evidence highlights a need for future studies to provide insights into the benefits of quality interactive technology-based stroke education and to identify options for optimal delivery modes in stroke education.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• The explosion and rapid growth of technology in all aspects of everyday life means that people with stroke are more connected to technology than ever before.

• There is limited research into the effects of interactive technology in stroke education, in particular whether the education reduces the risks of subsequent strokes or improves patient understanding of stroke.

• There is an urgent need for further research to explore whether one technology or combination of technologies is optimal in enhancing stroke education.

Keywords:

• Cerebrovascular disorders
• technology
• stroke education
• systematic review
• patient education
• brain diseases

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Registration and protocol

The review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021225223).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by a Metro South Health Research Support Scheme Innovation Grant.