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Telerehabilitation: Development, Application, and Need for Increased Usage in the COVID-19 Era for Patients with Spinal Pathology

Cureus, 2020 · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.10563 · Published: September 21, 2020

Pain ManagementSurgeryRehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Telerehabilitation (telerehab) uses technology to provide physical therapy to patients remotely, especially helpful during COVID-19 restrictions. It can reduce pain and improve function for conditions like low back pain and osteoarthritis. Accessibility, security, and ease-of-use are crucial for successful telerehab. Telerehab involves remote assessment, using technology like videoconferencing to observe patients and specialized tools for measurements. Communication methods include telephone, messaging, videoconferencing, and virtual reality. Technologies can be synchronous (real-time) or asynchronous (store and forward). Telerehab offers advantages like reduced travel and cost, and increased access to care. However, it also has disadvantages like lack of in-person contact, equipment limitations at home, and technology barriers. Despite these, telerehab can foster a supportive therapist-patient relationship.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
Spine patients
Evidence Level
Narrative Review

Key Findings

  • 1
    Telerehab can reduce pain and improve physical function in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain from low back pain, lumbar stenosis, neck pain, and osteoarthritis.
  • 2
    Telerehab, including video and telephone interventions, may improve quality of life and reduce costs due to reduced rehospitalization in spinal cord injury patients.
  • 3
    A 12-week home exercise program with supervised physical therapy via videoconference demonstrated reduced pain and improved shoulder function in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury and shoulder pain.

Research Summary

Telerehabilitation (telerehab) has emerged as a crucial method for providing physical therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It uses technology to deliver care remotely, particularly benefiting spine patients with neurological deficits. Telerehab offers advantages such as reduced travel, cost, and increased accessibility, while addressing the need for social interaction and psychological wellness. However, it faces challenges like equipment limitations and lack of in-person contact. Studies have shown that telerehab is well-received by patients, but more research is needed to determine its specific indications for spine patients and to explore patient outcomes for broader mainstream adoption beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical Implications

Increased Accessibility

Telerehab overcomes physical barriers, transportation issues, and financial constraints, making healthcare more accessible, especially for spine surgery patients.

Cost-Effective Healthcare

By enabling earlier hospital discharge and reducing the need for emergency medical services, telerehab contributes to lowering overall healthcare costs.

Enhanced Patient Empowerment

Telerehab, particularly when tailored to a patient's home environment, fosters empowerment, self-management, and improved compliance with therapies.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Lack of person-to-person contact can hinder building a strong provider-patient relationship.
  • 2
    Home environments may lack the equipment available in clinic settings, limiting therapeutic exercises.
  • 3
    Patients may lack the necessary technology or knowledge to use telerehab effectively.

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