The Use of Smartphone Applications in Stroke Rehabilitation in Korea

Hyungjun Im, M.D., Je Young Song, O.T., Yun Kyung Cho, O.T., Ph.D., Yon Joon Kim, M.D., Hyun Jung Kim, M.D., Ph.D. and Youn Joo Kang, M.D., Ph.D.Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Eulji Hospital, Eulji University School of MedicineObjective: We studied the use of smartphone technology in stroke rehabilitation in Korea and gathered opinions on how it would best be utilized it in a clinical setting.Method: Physiatrists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and rehabilitation ward nurses were surveyed to examine smartphone propagation among the rehabilitation team, current therapeutic knowled-ge, the use of smartphone technology, and perceptions regarding the potential therapeutic use of smartphones in rehabilitation. The respondents were also asked to specify the applications considered to be the most appropriate for rehabilitation. We also examined applications available for stroke reha-bilitation at Android and Apple stores.Results: Of the respondents, 92% had never using smartphone technology in rehabilitation with their clients. The greatest barrier to use was that “smartphone technology and appropriate applications were not available for rehabilitation settings” (71.4%). Areas identified as most appropriate for smartphone use in therapy included provision of information (82.4%) and cognitive (72.5%) and language training (68.1%). We found only a few applications in android and Apple application stores. Of the respondents, 89% intended to use smartphone applications in rehabilitation in the future.Conclusion: Smartphone applications developed for stroke rehabilitation are promising. Further research and the development of new therapeutic applications for use in rehabilitation and across health care are needed. (Brain & NeuroRehabilitation 2013; 6: 1-0)Key Words: application, mobile devices, rehabilitation, smartphone, stroke