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Telerehabilitation for Patients

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Digital Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 19700

Special Issue Editor

Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Interests: psychology; telerehabilitation; anxiety; depression; psychotraumatology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

The use of technology in healthcare has been increasing over the past decade. As a result, telerehabilitation has become a new promising format for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation may be a key factor in tertiary disease prevention focusing on enhancing self-care and improving morbidity and mortality across patient groups. However, traditional rehabilitation may also entail barriers for participation, such as having to travel long distances, being scheduled during working hours, or, as we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, not being able to offer rehabilitation in person. However, little is known about how patients experience, engage with, and benefit from telerehabilitation compared to more traditional rehabilitation formats. As telerehabilitation is increasingly being implemented across patient groups, the research on the patient perspective of telerehabilitation has been fragmented and sparse.

This Special Issue welcomes studies or reviews of various telerehabilitation formats, either planned or acute implementations due to COVID-19 pandemic. We are particularly interested in studies (i) addressing how telerehabilitation aims to overcome participation and adherence barriers, (ii) focusing on how patients engage with various types of technology, (iii) comparing the patients’ experience of conventional rehabilitation compared to telerehabilitation, or (iv) focusing on how telerehabilitation may expand our understanding of what telerehabilitation could entail. Studies combining two or more of these aims may be of special interest.

Dr. Helle Spindler
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • telerehabilitation
  • technology
  • patient
  • occupational therapy
  • psychology
  • COVID-19

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 336 KiB  
Article
Patients’ Perceptions of Exercise-Based Cardiac Telerehabilitation after a Myocardial Infarction—A Qualitative Study
by Ulrika Nilsson, Birgitta Öberg and Maria Bäck
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(7), 5420; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075420 - 06 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1509
Abstract
To be able to design telerehabilitation programs targeting the needs and preferences of end-users, patients’ in-depth perspectives are needed. To date, such studies are lacking and, therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe patients’ perceptions of performing exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation [...] Read more.
To be able to design telerehabilitation programs targeting the needs and preferences of end-users, patients’ in-depth perspectives are needed. To date, such studies are lacking and, therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe patients’ perceptions of performing exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation after a myocardial infarction (MI). Individual semi-structured interviews were performed with 15 patients (3 women, median age 69 years) after an MI who had participated in exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation for three months. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with inductive content analysis. An overall theme was defined as “Cardiac telerehabilitation—a new alternative for exercising that is easily accessible and up to date”. Four categories, including “The important role of a physical therapist with expert knowledge”, “Prerequisites playing an important role in the willingness to participate”, “Making exercise accessible and adjustable” and “Inspiring future exercise”, and 15 subcategories were identified. Understanding the patient’s perspective is an important key to further improving and successfully implementing exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation, as an alternative or adjunct to traditional, centre-based programs. The findings can serve to improve patient–physiotherapist interactions and to inform important aspects related to exercise, technology and a sense of security from an exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation program. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Telerehabilitation for Patients)
19 pages, 4281 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Efficacy of a Virtual Assistant in the Remote Cardiac Rehabilitation of Heart Failure and Ischemic Heart Disease Patients: Case-Control Study of Romanian Adult Patients
by Andreea-Elena Lăcraru, Ștefan-Sebastian Busnatu, Maria-Alexandra Pană, Gabriel Olteanu, Liviu Șerbănoiu, Kai Gand, Hannes Schlieter, Sofoklis Kyriazakos, Octavian Ceban, Cătălina Liliana Andrei and Crina-Julieta Sinescu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3937; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053937 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2361
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality in Europe, with potentially more than 60 million deaths per year, with an age-standardized rate of morbidity-mortality higher in men than women, exceeding deaths from cancer. Heart attacks and strokes account for more than [...] Read more.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality in Europe, with potentially more than 60 million deaths per year, with an age-standardized rate of morbidity-mortality higher in men than women, exceeding deaths from cancer. Heart attacks and strokes account for more than four out of every five CVD fatalities globally. After a patient overcomes an acute cardiovascular event, they are referred for rehabilitation to help them to restore most of their normal cardiac functions. One effective way to provide this activity regimen is via virtual models or telerehabilitation, where the patient can avail themselves of the rehabilitation services from the comfort of their homes at designated timings. Under the funding of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program, grant no 769807, a virtual rehabilitation assistant has been designed for elderly patients (vCare), with the overall objective of supporting recovery and an active life at home, enhancing patients’ quality of life, lowering disease-specific risk factors, and ensuring better adherence to a home rehabilitation program. In the vCare project, the Carol Davila University of Bucharest (UMFCD) was in charge of the heart failure (HF) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) groups of patients. By creating a digital environment at patients’ homes, the vCare system’s effectiveness, use, and feasibility was evaluated. A total of 30 heart failure patients and 20 ischemic heart disease patients were included in the study. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and a few technical difficulties, HF and IHD patients who performed cardiac rehabilitation using the vCare system had similar results compared to the ambulatory group, and better results compared to the control group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Telerehabilitation for Patients)
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21 pages, 5226 KiB  
Article
Home-Based Robotic Upper Limbs Cardiac Telerehabilitation System
by Bogdan Mocan, Mihaela Mocan, Mircea Fulea, Mircea Murar and Horea Feier
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11628; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811628 - 15 Sep 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1958
Abstract
This article proposes a new, improved home-based cardiac telerehabilitation system enhanced by a robotic and Virtual Reality module for cardiac patients to be used in their rehabilitation program. In this study, a novel strategy was used to integrate existing equipment and applications with [...] Read more.
This article proposes a new, improved home-based cardiac telerehabilitation system enhanced by a robotic and Virtual Reality module for cardiac patients to be used in their rehabilitation program. In this study, a novel strategy was used to integrate existing equipment and applications with newly developed ones, with the aim of reducing the need for technical skills of patients using remote control. Patients with acute or chronic heart diseases require long-term, individualized rehabilitation in order to promote their motor recovery and maintain an active and independent lifestyle. This will be accomplished by creating a system for at-home cardiac telerehabilitation augmented by a VR and cobot systems, which can be used long-term at home by each individual patient. In the pre-feasibility study carried out on healthy volunteers familiar with software applications and robotic systems, we demonstrate that RoboTeleRehab could be technically feasible both hardware and software. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Telerehabilitation for Patients)
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10 pages, 326 KiB  
Article
Perceptions about Telemedicine among Populations with Chronic Diseases amid COVID-19: Data from a Cross-Sectional Survey
by Miah Md. Akiful Haque, Yasmin Jahan, Zara Khair, Michiko Moriyama, Md. Moshiur Rahman, Mohammad Habibur Rahman Sarker, Shamsun Nahar Shaima, Sajeda Chowdhury, Kazi Farhana Matin, Ishrat Jahan Karim, Mostafa Taufiq Ahmed, Syed Zakir Hossain, Md. Adnan Hasan Masud, Mohammad Golam Nabi, Asma Binte Aziz, Mohiuddin Sharif, Md. Forhadul Islam Chowdhury, Kaniz Laila Shams, Nusrat Benta Nizam, Taiyaba Tabassum Ananta, Md. Robed Amin and Mohammad Delwer Hossain Hawladeradd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4250; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074250 - 02 Apr 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3151
Abstract
Chronic diseases, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), have arisen as a severe threat to health and socio-economic growth. Telemedicine can provide both the highest level of patient satisfaction and the lowest risk of infection during a pandemic. The factors associated with its usage and [...] Read more.
Chronic diseases, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), have arisen as a severe threat to health and socio-economic growth. Telemedicine can provide both the highest level of patient satisfaction and the lowest risk of infection during a pandemic. The factors associated with its usage and patient adherence are not visible in Bangladesh’s resource-constrained settings. Therefore, this study aimed to identify perceptions about telemedicine among populations with chronic diseases amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A closed-ended self-reported questionnaire was created, and the questionnaire was written, reviewed, and finalized by a public health investigator, a psychiatrist, and an epidemiologist. The data for this study were collected from individuals using simple random sampling and snowball sampling techniques. Ethics approval was granted, and written/verbal consent was taken before interviews. Most of the participants showed a positive attitude towards telemedicine. People aged 35–54 years old and a higher level of education were less frequently associated with willingness to receive telemedicine services for current chronic disease (WRTCCD) than their counterparts. People living in urban areas and lower-income participants were more strongly associated with WRTCCD. Additionally, people who did not lose their earnings due to the pandemic were less strongly associated with WRTCCD. However, the main strength of this research is that it is a broad exploration of patient interest in several general forms of telehealth. In Bangladesh, there are many opportunities for telemedicine to be integrated into the existing healthcare system, if appropriate training and education are provided for healthcare professionals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Telerehabilitation for Patients)
11 pages, 2676 KiB  
Article
Does Telerehabilitation Help in Reducing Disability among People with Musculoskeletal Conditions? A Preliminary Study
by Hana Alsobayel, Faris Alodaibi, Ali Albarrati, Norah Alsalamah, Fadwa Alhawas and Ahmed Alhowimel
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010072 - 22 Dec 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3826
Abstract
Introduction: During the coronavirus pandemic, an initiative was launched in Saudi Arabia to provide telerehabilitation for people with musculoskeletal conditions who were unable to access in-person physiotherapy due to the associated lockdown. The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic [...] Read more.
Introduction: During the coronavirus pandemic, an initiative was launched in Saudi Arabia to provide telerehabilitation for people with musculoskeletal conditions who were unable to access in-person physiotherapy due to the associated lockdown. The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic impact and acceptability of telerehabilitation among the Saudi population. Methods: Ninety-five participants were recruited through an online advertisement and received a physiotherapy consultation and interventions via an online video conference platform (Google Meet). Following screening for red flags, participants received tailored education and conditioning exercises 2–3 times a week for 6 weeks. Outcome measures were recorded at baseline and 6 weeks and comprised the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Patient-Specific Functional Scale, Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire and a satisfaction survey. Results: The most frequent musculoskeletal conditions reported were lower back (37%), knee (14%) and neck (10%) pain and post-operative conditions (15%). Participants showed significant improvements in outcomes at the end of the program (p < 0.001) with effect sizes ranging from 0.6 to −1.9 and reported a high level of satisfaction with the telerehabilitation intervention. Conclusion: This study showed that telerehabilitation was an acceptable method of providing physiotherapy interventions for patients with musculoskeletal conditions in Saudi Arabia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Telerehabilitation for Patients)
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Review

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18 pages, 2467 KiB  
Review
Characteristics, Components, and Efficacy of Telerehabilitation Approaches for People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Sara Isernia, Chiara Pagliari, Luca Nicola Cesare Bianchi, Paolo Innocente Banfi, Federica Rossetto, Francesca Borgnis, Monica Tavanelli, Lorenzo Brambilla and Francesca Baglio
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15165; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215165 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2284
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is at the top of the list of non-communicable diseases with related rehabilitation needs. Digital medicine may provide continuative integrated intervention, overcoming accessibility and cost barriers. Methods: We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials on telerehabilitation (TR) [...] Read more.
Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is at the top of the list of non-communicable diseases with related rehabilitation needs. Digital medicine may provide continuative integrated intervention, overcoming accessibility and cost barriers. Methods: We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials on telerehabilitation (TR) in people with COPD to profile the adopted TR strategies, focusing on TR models and the main rehabilitation actions: monitoring and assessment, decision, and feedback. Additionally, a meta-analysis was run to test the TR effect on functional capacity, dyspnea, and quality of life compared to no intervention (NI) and conventional intervention (CI). Results: Out of the 6041 studies identified, 22 were eligible for the systematic review, and 14 were included in the meta-analyses. Results showed a heterogeneous scenario in terms of the TR features. Furthermore, only a small group of trials presented a comprehensive technological kit. The meta-analysis highlighted a significant effect of TR, especially with the asynchronous model, on all outcomes compared to NI. Moreover, a non-inferiority effect of TR on functional capacity and quality of life, and a superiority effect on dyspnea compared to CI were observed. Finally, the studies suggested a high rate of TR adherence and high safety level. Conclusions: TR is an effective strategy to increase and maintain functional capacity, breath, and quality of life in people with COPD. However, a consensus on the essential elements and features of this approach needs to be defined, and the effect of long-term maintenance merits further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Telerehabilitation for Patients)
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14 pages, 1141 KiB  
Review
A Scoping Review for Usage of Telerehabilitation among Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Cognitive Frailty
by Nurul Hidayah Md Fadzil, Suzana Shahar, Roslee Rajikan, Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh, Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin, Ponnusamy Subramaniam, Norhayati Ibrahim, Divya Vanoh and Nazlena Mohamad Ali
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4000; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074000 - 28 Mar 2022
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3656
Abstract
Older adults are vulnerable towards cognitive frailty that can lead to adverse health outcomes and telerehabilitation appears to be a potential platform to reverse cognitive frailty among older adults. The aim of this coping review is to identify the usage of telerehabilitation and [...] Read more.
Older adults are vulnerable towards cognitive frailty that can lead to adverse health outcomes and telerehabilitation appears to be a potential platform to reverse cognitive frailty among older adults. The aim of this coping review is to identify the usage of telerehabilitation and its common platform of delivery among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or cognitive frailty (CF). Articles published from January 2015 until October 2020 were selected. Out of the 1738 articles retrieved, six studies were identified. Two articles were randomized controlled trials, one was a pilot study and three were qualitative studies. The outcome suggests that telerehabilitation may improve the quality of life among participants as well as it can be a useful and supportive digital platform for health care. Some types of technologies commonly used were smartphones or telephones with internet, television-based assistive integrated technology, mobile application and videoconference. Telerehabilitation utilization in managing cognitive frailty among older adults is still limited and more research is required to evaluate its feasibility and acceptability. Although telerehabilitation appears to be implemented among older adults with MCI and CF, some social support is still required to improve the adherence and effectiveness of telerehabilitation. Future research should focus on the evaluation of acceptance and participants’ existing knowledge towards telerehabilitation to achieve its target. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Telerehabilitation for Patients)
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