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Laftah S A, Hammooz A. Nurse-led Telehealth Follow-up as a Mediator Between Caregiver Burden and Functional Recovery of Stroke Patients. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2025; 23 (4) :463-472
URL: http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2588-en.html

Objectives: Informal caregivers are crucial in supporting patients with functional disabilities; however, caregiver burden can adversely affect patient recovery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of caregiver burden on the functional recovery of injured individuals and explore the mediating role of telehealth usability.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 323 symptomatic caregivers of rehabilitation patients. Validated instruments were utilized: The zarit burden interview (ZBI-12), Telehealth usability questionnaire (TUQ), and Barthel index (BI). Data analysis involved Pearson’s correlation coefficient, multivariate regression, and mediation analysis using the PROCESS macro within structural equation modeling (SEM).
Results: Caregiver burden was negatively associated with both telehealth usability (r=-0.63, P<0.01) and patient functional recovery (r=-0.71, P<0.01). Mediation analysis revealed that telehealth usability significantly mediated the relationship between caregiver burden and patient recovery (indirect effect β=-0.532, P<0.001). Furthermore, caregivers in rural areas reported a higher burden and lower telemedicine utilization.
Discussion: Reducing caregiver burden and enhancing telehealth usability can significantly improve patient rehabilitation outcomes. Investing in caregiver education and ensuring equitable access to virtual healthcare, particularly in rural settings, is strongly recommended.