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Telehealth Rehabilitation for Cognitive Impairment: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial
Burton RL, O'Connell ME.. JMIR research protocols, 2018-02-08
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Background Nonpharmacological interventions are needed to support the function of older adults struggling with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia due to Alzheimer disease (AD). Telerehabilitation aims to provide rehabilitation at a distance, but cognitive rehabilitation by videoconferencing has not been explored. Objective The objective of this study was to compare goal-oriented cognitive rehabilitation delivered in-person with videoconferencing to determine whether telehealth cognitive rehabilitation appears feasible. Methods Random assignment to in-person or telehealth videoconferencing cognitive rehabilitation with a combined between-subjects, multiple baseline single-case experimental design, cognitive rehabilitation was delivered by a therapist to 6 participants with SCI (n=4), MCI (n=1), or dementia due to AD (n=1). Results Two of the 6 participants randomly assigned to the telehealth condition withdrew before beginning the intervention. For those who participated in the intervention, 6 out of 6 goals measured with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure improved for those in the in-person group, and 7 out of 9 goals improved for those in the telehealth group. Conclusions Delivery of cognitive rehabilitation by telehealth appeared feasible but required modifications such as greater reliance on caregivers and clients for manipulating materials.
Key findings
- Results Two of the 6 participants randomly assigned to the telehealth condition withdrew before beginning the intervention.
Why it matters
This very small feasibility study had only 6 participants and tested whether cognitive rehabilitation could be delivered by video rather than in person. It did not test whether this treatment cures or prevents Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 39/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (JMIR research protocols) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | JMIR Research Protocols: journal h-index 62 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2018 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 62 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 6.2 citations a year over 10 year(s) since 2018 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 6.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 20 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Megan E. O’Connell: h-index 33 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | University of Saskatchewan: institution h-index 575 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 29422453) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 39 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.2196/resprot.9420
- PubMed: 29422453
- Original source →
- Free full text: JMIR Research Protocols →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Burton, R. L., & O'Connell, M. E. (2018). Telehealth Rehabilitation for Cognitive Impairment: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial. JMIR research protocols. https://doi.org/10.2196/resprot.9420
Vancouver
Burton RL, O'Connell ME. Telehealth Rehabilitation for Cognitive Impairment: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial. JMIR research protocols. 2018. doi:10.2196/resprot.9420. PMID: 29422453.
BibTeX
@article{burton2018-29422453,
author = {Burton, R. L. and O'Connell, M. E.},
title = {{Telehealth Rehabilitation for Cognitive Impairment: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial}},
journal = {JMIR research protocols},
year = {2018},
doi = {10.2196/resprot.9420},
pmid = {29422453},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2196/resprot.9420}
}
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