Digitally Supported Self-Management for Upper-Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke: A Randomised Feasibility Trial in NHS Services

Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants working with stroke survivors in acute, inpatient rehabilitation, home health or community settings, who are being asked to consider digital or wearable adjuncts to arm rehabilitation and who want to read feasibility evidence accurately.

Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants; occupational therapists and rehabilitation assistants involved in upper-limb stroke rehabilitation may also find the material relevant.

Intended audience

Physical Therapy

Level

Intermediate

Delivery format

Online, asynchronous, self-paced course: interactive reading with audio or video, and a scored post-test.

Based on

This course reports the findings of a single published feasibility trial. Every claim and figure in the course traces to that report.

Fusari G, Coleman S, Davies J, Dearling J, Findlay J, Goddard M, Ivins N, Jones F, Leggat F, Lowe R, McCrudden C, McKinlay R, Ndachi Effiang E, Penny L, Playle R, Richardson D, Riaz M, Shepherd L, Shi T, Szymanski T, Darzi A. UPBEAT Trial: a randomised feasibility evaluation of a digital system for UPper limB rEhabilitation After sTroke. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2025;11(1):136. doi:10.1186/s40814-025-01727-0. PMID: 41204366; PMCID: PMC12593889.

What this course is and is not

The trial was designed to test whether a full-scale randomised controlled trial would be workable, not to determine whether the intervention improves arm function or saves money. The course reports it on those terms.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Describe what the UPBEAT feasibility trial set out to test about delivering the OnTrack wearable and self-management coaching system inside NHS stroke services.
2. State the trial's reported feasibility findings for recruitment, retention, participant adherence and fidelity of therapist delivery.
3. Explain why the trial's clinical and cost findings cannot establish whether the intervention improves arm function or reduces service costs.

1. Start Here: how this course works and what the source is
2. Podcast: Wearables, Coaching and the Therapy Gap — Inside the UPBEAT Feasibility Trial (about nine minutes)
3. The Therapy Gap After Stroke and Who Took Part
4. How the Trial Was Run Across Three NHS Sites
5. What the Trial Found: Recruitment, Retention, Adherence and Fidelity
6. Where the Findings Stop: The Limits of a Feasibility Trial
7. What It Could Mean for Stroke Rehabilitation Pathways
8. Key Takeaways
9. Post-test and course evaluation

Quinn Millington, PT, DPT, ECS is the instructor of record: the licensed clinician who reviewed this course and signed off on it. The name and credentials print on the certificate.

Disclosures. This course was developed by The ConEd Solution, which has a financial interest in its sale. No outside funding or sponsorship was received. The instructor of record has no affiliation with the authors of the source publication or their institutions.

This course awards 0.5 contact hours (30 min). How you earn them:

1. Complete the course. Every lesson, in order.
2. Pass the post-test. Score 80% or higher. Retakes are allowed.
3. Complete the evaluation. A short form rating each learning objective and the course.
4. Download your certificate. It is issued on completion and stays available in My Account.

The episode time is its measured length. Reading, post-test and evaluation times are estimates.

This course is designed to satisfy the quality requirements state boards set for continuing education. Requirements vary by state, and confirming that a course fits your renewal is up to you. Each state’s own acceptance statement is in the credit panel on this page.

1. This course reports the findings of a single published feasibility trial. Every claim and figure in the course traces to that report.
2. Fusari G, Coleman S, Davies J, Dearling J, Findlay J, Goddard M, Ivins N, Jones F, Leggat F, Lowe R, McCrudden C, McKinlay R, Ndachi Effiang E, Penny L, Playle R, Richardson D, Riaz M, Shepherd L, Shi T, Szymanski T, Darzi A. UPBEAT Trial: a randomised feasibility evaluation of a digital system for UPper limB rEhabilitation After sTroke. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2025;11(1):136. doi:10.1186/s40814-025-01727-0. PMID: 41204366; PMCID: PMC12593889.
3. What this course is and is not
4. The trial was designed to test whether a full-scale randomised controlled trial would be workable, not to determine whether the intervention improves arm function or saves money. The course reports it on those terms.