The health care community has moved from emergency response models to sustained recovery models for the rehabilitation of post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, commonly referred to as long COVID. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive bibliometric visualization and thematic analysis of global research output from 2020 to 2025 on rehabilitation interventions for long COVID and related post-viral disorders. The PubMed database was systematically searched to retrieve bibliometric records. VOSviewer and Biblioshiny were used to conduct a multidimensional analysis. Key metrics included annual scientific production, Lotka’s law for author productivity, Bradford’s law for core source identification, and country collaboration mapping. The life-cycle model (R2=0.929) indicated that the field evolved in a predictable pattern, with continuous and accelerated development. However, the projected stabilization should be interpreted as a description of initial growth rather than as definitive evidence of disciplinary maturity. Scientific output in this area increased sharply and peaked in 2024. Thematic visualization identified 3 broad thematic groupings. Lotka’s law indicated a dispersed and fragmented research community, with approximately 90% of authors contributing only 1 document. Physiotherapy research for long COVID has shifted from early pulmonary-centered approaches toward more interdisciplinary models focused on cognitive health and fatigue.
Objectives This study aimed to explore the effects of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program on stroke patients, as well as their experiences participating in the program. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods design, integrating qualitative case studies with quantitative analysis. We included 20 stroke patients, randomly divided into 2 groups of 10 each: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group underwent a CBT program comprising 20 sessions, in addition to receiving general occupational therapy. Conversely, the control group participated in meditation relaxation sessions alongside their general occupational therapy. Both interventions were administered daily for 60 minutes, 5 days a week, over a 4-week period. Results: After the intervention, the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and rehabilitation motivation (p<0.01, p<0.05). In contrast, the control group only demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety (p<0.05). A comparison of the changes between the 2 groups showed significant differences in depression and anxiety (p<0.01), but no significant differences in self-efficacy and rehabilitation motivation (p>0.05). In-depth interviews with 10 participants from the experimental group were conducted and analyzed, revealing 4 core themes: “psychological stability,” “physical symptom relief,” “altered daily routines,” and “challenges and hopes for change.” Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that CBT programs may serve as a valuable intervention, offering psychological support and rehabilitation for stroke patients.
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Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for post-stroke fatigue: A systematic review and meta-analysis Fusen Sun, Yan Li, Fengli Liu Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases.2026; 35(8): 108697. CrossRef
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Objectives This systematic review describes the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-supported exercise therapy on upper limb motor function and activities of daily living after stroke. Methods: Studies published through January 24, 2022, were identified using CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science. Randomized control trials comparing VR treatment with conventional therapy (CT) for upper extremity rehabilitation after stroke were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Results: Of 9 included studies, 5 concluded that the VR group outperformed control participants, 1 indicated the superiority of VR-supported exercises alone over CT, and 3 found VR comparable to CT in promoting upper limb motor function. Five studies analyzed independence in daily living, with 4 reporting no significant difference between VR and CT groups. No strong evidence indicated long-term benefits of VR-assisted exercise. All included studies demonstrated low risk of bias concerning random sequence generation, allocation concealment, outcome assessment blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting bias. However, a high risk of bias was observed regarding participant blinding due to the nature of the intervention. Conclusion: Most studies suggested that VR, used alongside CT, can improve motor function following stroke. However, the evidence was insufficient to conclude that VR outperforms conventional approaches.
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Challenges and Benefits of Virtual Reality in Home-Based Poststroke Rehabilitation: Co-Design Qualitative Study Trust Saidi, Ann Marie Hestetun-Mandrup, Nenad Pavel, Ingvild Kristina Hurum Rosseland, Kathinka Granum Selmer-Olsen, Nora Synnøve Mørk, Åse Bergheim, Minna Annika Pikkarainen JMIR Human Factors.2026; 13: e78798. CrossRef
Neural correlates of virtual hand movements using ecologically valid tasks Silvia Erika Kober, Lisa Maria Berger, Daniela Kern, Guilherme Wood, Petra Schwingenschuh Frontiers in Virtual Reality.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
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<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
<p>The purpose of this research was to study the influences of dual task training on upper extremity function and performance of daily activities of chronic stroke patients.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
<p>Dual task training was performed on 21 patients who had suffered a chronic stroke with hemiplegia. The dual task training was performed for 30 minutes per session, for 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. There were 5 evaluations carried out over 3 weeks before and after the intervention. Changes in upper extremity function were measured by using the Box and block test. Changes in the performance of daily activities were measured using the Korea-Modified Barthel Index.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
<p>The mean upper limb function score of the chronic stroke patients increased significantly from 21.88 ± 19.99 before the intervention, to 26.22 ± 15.65 after the intervention (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05), and the mean daily activities score increased significantly from 65.82 ± 12.04, to 67.29 ± 12.90 (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05).</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
<p>Dual task training effectively improved upper extremity function, and the performance of daily activities in chronic stroke patients.</p></sec>
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The hand activity and behavior intervention (HABIT): a novel group to increase daily hand-use post-stroke Yishai Bachar Kirshenboim, Aviya Levy, Debbie Rand Disability and Rehabilitation.2026; 48(15): 4781. CrossRef
The Effectiveness of Dual-Task Training on Upper Extremity Functions in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial Su Sandi Hla Tun, Sawitri Wanpen, Nomjit Nualnetr, Uraiwan Chatchawan, Rungthip Puntumetakul NeuroRehabilitation: An International, Interdiscip.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
How does a motor or cognitive dual-task affect our sense of upper limb proprioception? Amanda L. Ager, Ann M. Cools, Dorien Borms, Jean-Sébastien Roy, Renato S. Melo PLOS ONE.2024; 19(3): e0299856. CrossRef
Ηand dexterities assessment in stroke patients based on augmented reality and machine learning through a box and block test Georgios Papagiannis, Αthanasios Triantafyllou, Konstantina G. Yiannopoulou, George Georgoudis, Maria Kyriakidou, Panagiotis Gkrilias, Apostolos Z. Skouras, Xhoi Bega, Dimitrios Stasinopoulos, George Matsopoulos, Pantelis Syringas, Nikolaos Tselikas, Ores Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Reaching the cognitive-motor interface: effects of cognitive load on arm choice and motor performance after stroke Cory A. Potts, Rand A. Williamson, Joshua D. Jacob, Shailesh S. Kantak, Laurel J. Buxbaum Experimental Brain Research.2024; 242(12): 2785. CrossRef
The Current State of the Literature on Dual-Task Performance Across Multiple Domains in Individuals With Chronic Poststroke Aphasia: A Scoping Review Nicole Dawson, Lauren Bislick, Lara Suarez American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.2024; 33(6S): 3444. CrossRef
The Relationship Between Dual-Task Performance and Functional Independence in Stroke Patients Pınar OBA, Musa POLAT Turkish Journal of Science and Health.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
İnme Hastalarında Çift Yönlü Görev Aktivitesinin Etkinliği Derya Tuba BAL, Tuba KOCA, Ejder BERK, Burhan Fatih KOÇYİĞİT, Vedat NACİTARHAN Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültes.2020; 15(3): 60. CrossRef
<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
<p>The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of task-oriented circuit training (TOCT) using the rehabilitation tools for upper extremity function upon the daily life of patients with acute stroke.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
<p>Eighteen patients with acute stroke were randomly allocated into either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group performed the TOCT program using rehabilitation tools, whilst the control group had neuro-developmental treatment. Both groups received 30 minutes of treatment per session, 5~6 times per week, for 4 weeks. The assessments conducted were the Fugl-Meyer assessment, motor activity log and stroke impact scale to compare the upper extremity function and activities of daily living.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
<p>The results showed a significant improvement in the TOCT group compared with the neuro-developmental treatment group in the amount of motor activity use and high stroke impact score, indicating recovery (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05).</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
<p>The TOCT program using rehabilitation tools could have a positive impact on acute stroke patients use of their upper extremity.</p></sec>
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Standardized circuit class group training versus individualized goal-directed group training to improve upper limb function in stroke survivors during in-patient rehabilitation: a pragmatic trial S.G Rozevink, C.M Beerepoot, C.K van der Sluis, J.M Hijmans Disability and Rehabilitation.2024; 46(16): 3660. CrossRef
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RETRACTED: Evaluating the integration of traditional gong methods in smart home environment for the recovery of health functions of stroke patients Baoliang Wang, Hongping Su, Xiaoqian Luo, Luqiang Yin Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems.2024; 47(1_suppl): 181. CrossRef
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