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Research Article: Barriers and facilitators to telerehabilitation adherence in young and middle-aged stroke survivors: a qualitative COM-B analysis

Date Published: 2026-09-28

Abstract:
To explore the barriers and facilitators to telerehabilitation adherence among young and middle-aged stroke survivors using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation–Behavior (COM-B) model. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 15 stroke survivors aged 18–60?years recruited from a tertiary hospital in China. Data were collected via one-on-one semi-structured interviews and analyzed using directed content analysis, with iterative mapping of codes to COM-B sub-domains. Fourteen themes were identified across the six COM-B dimensions, comprising eight barriers and six facilitators. Capability barriers included post-stroke physical exhaustion and low digital confidence, while facilitators were perceived functional recovery and movement self-correction. Opportunity barriers encompassed physical space limitations, unstable internet connectivity, and social isolation; facilitators were family support and therapist supervision. Motivational barriers included efficacy skepticism, digital fatigue, and re-injury anxiety; facilitators were return-to-work aspiration and routine integration. Adherence was shaped by dynamic interactions among these factors rather than isolated determinants. Telerehabilitation adherence in young and middle-aged stroke survivors is influenced by a complex interplay of physical, cognitive, environmental, social, and motivational factors. Multi-component interventions that simultaneously target capability, opportunity, and motivation—such as fatigue management, digital skills training, home environment optimisation, family involvement, vocational goal-setting, serious games, and peer support—are warranted to enhance engagement and improve long-term outcomes. The COM-B model provides a useful framework for designing such tailored strategies.

Introduction:
Stroke has emerged as a major global health challenge, representing the leading cause of long-term disability worldwide ( 1 ). While traditionally perceived as a disease of the elderly, recent epidemiological data indicate a concerning shift: the incidence of stroke among young and middle-aged adults (aged 18–60 years) has increased significantly over the past two decades ( 2 ). In this study, we define young and middle-aged stroke survivors as adults aged 18–60?years, consistent with the age range used in recent…

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