Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usability of telerehabilitation as a method of teaching self-management for chronic swelling of the lower limbs in persons with limited mobility. An in-home telerehabilitation self-management education protocol for chronic swelling of the lower limbs, termed Telerehabilitation to Empower You to Manage and Prevent Swelling (TR-PUMPS), was implemented using the Versatile and Integrated System for Telerehabilitation (VISYTER) software platform. Participants (n=11) were 36–79 years old, predominately female (72.7%) and diagnosed with a variety of health conditions. Participants’ perceived usability scores of the remote delivery of TR-PUMPS was high with a median score of 6.67 (range 4.90 – 7.00) on a Likert scale: 1= disagree to 7= agree. There was no correlation between participants’ familiarity with information technology and their perception of telerehabilitation usability. These results support telerehabilitation as a viable method for teaching a home-based, self-management protocol for chronic swelling.
Highlights
An estimated 18.6 million persons in the United States have mobility limitations (Iezzonni, McCarthy, Davis & Siebens, 2000)
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usability of telerehabilitation as a method of teaching self-management for chronic swelling of the lower limbs in persons with limited mobility
Few studies have attempted to identify solutions to the challenges faced by persons with chronic swelling/ lymphedema and mobility limitations in accessing treatment for this chronic condition
Summary
An estimated 18.6 million persons in the United States have mobility limitations (Iezzonni, McCarthy, Davis & Siebens, 2000). Delay in treatment may lead to progression of the disease, resulting in an increase in swelling, infections, pain and a decrease in mobility of an effected extremity, negative self-image, depression and social isolation (Bogan, Powell, & Dudgeon, 2007; Morgan, Frank, & Moffatt, 2005; William, Moffatt, & Franks, 2004). Access to specialized lymphedema therapists in the US is limited due to the small number of therapists and inequitable distribution (more urban than rural) (Lymphology Association of North America, n.d.) These issues compound existing transportation barriers frequently encountered by persons with limited mobility (Drainoni et al, 2006; Kaye, Kang, & LaPlante, 2000). This study aimed to examine the usability of TR as a method of teaching self-management for chronic swelling of the lower limbs in persons with limited mobility
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