Internet-based Rehabilitation Research Articles

Effects of the Internet-based rehabilitation information sharing program on psychological stress of family caregivers of inpatients: A non-randomized controlled study.

The psychological impact of Internet-based rehabilitation information provision on family caregivers of inpatients has not yet been investigated. This study investigated the impact of the Internet-based rehabilitation information sharing program on anxiety and depression among family caregivers of inpatients. Participants were patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital and their families. The Internet and Communication Technology (ICT) group received weekly reports with photos and videos showing rehabilitation progress and patients' activities of daily living, whereas the control group received only conventional care. The primary outcomes were the anxiety and depression scores of family caregivers, assessed at admission, discharge, and 1 month after discharge. Eighty-three participants were followed up (ICT group, n = 43; control group, n = 40). To minimize the impact of confounding factors, propensity-score matching was performed. Significant effects on anxiety (P = .03) and depression (P = .049) were found in the ICT group compared with the control group. The median difference in anxiety scores from discharge to 1 month post-discharge was -1.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: -2.0 to 0.8) in the ICT group versus 1.0 (IQR: -1.0 to 2.0) in the control group. The median difference in depression scores from admission to discharge was 0.5 (IQR: -1.0 to 2.8) in the ICT group and 2.0 (IQR: 1.0-3.8) in the control group. The Internet-based rehabilitation information sharing program may help reduce the family caregivers' psychological stress, enabling improved patient care.

Effectiveness of Different Telerehabilitation Strategies on Pain and Physical Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative bone and joint disease. It can lead to major pressure to the quality of life and mental health of patients, and also brings a serious economic burden to society. However, it is difficult for patients with knee OA to access rehabilitation when discharging from the hospital. Internet-based rehabilitation is one of the promising telemedicine strategies for the improvement of knee OA, but the effect of different telerehabilitation strategies on knee OA is not clear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify telerehabilitation strategies attributing to the improvement of pain and physical function outcomes in patients with knee OA. We reviewed and analyzed telerehabilitation strategies from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing telerehabilitation with conventional treatment or usual care. For each strategy, we examined whether RCTs that applied the telerehabilitation strategy resulted in a significant improvement in pain or physical function compared with conventional treatment or usual care. We included 6 RCTs (n=734) incorporating 8 different telerehabilitation strategies. The duration of the interventions ranged from 1 to 48 weeks, and sample sizes ranged from 20 to 350 patients. The results showed that RCTs that provided telerehabilitation were found to be more effective than conventional treatments for improving pain (P=.003; standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.21, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.07), but not physical function (P=.24; SMD -0.09, 95% CI -0.25 to 0.06). Furthermore, this systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that there is no significant correlation between different telerehabilitation strategies and the pain and physical function of patients with knee OA. This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that telerehabilitation programs could relieve pain but not improve physical function for patients with knee OA. These results indicated that telerehabilitation is beneficial for the implementation of home rehabilitation exercises for patients with knee OA, thereby reducing the economic burden of health. However, there were limitations in terms of the number of search results and the number of studies that were eligible for this review and meta-analysis. Therefore, the results need to be interpreted with caution, and more high-quality studies with large samples are needed to focus on the long-term outcomes of telerehabilitation for patients with knee OA to address this limitation.

Effect of internet-based pulmonary rehabilitation on physical capacity and health-related life quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is now recognized as the most effective treatments for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), internet-based PR arises a promising method. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis for assessing the effect of internet-based PR programs on physical capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with COPD. Materials and methods Randomized controlled trials were identified through systematically searches in PubMed, EMBASE, web of science, CENTRAL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. Results Twelve studies (1433 patients) were included. For physical capacity, there was no significant difference between groups was found according to the 6-min walk test (6MWT) (MD10.42, 95% CI −2.92 to 23.77, p = 0.13, I2 = 0%). For the health-related quality of life, no significant difference between groups was found regarding the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) (MD −0.64, 95% CI −3.52 to 2.23, p = 0.66), COPD assessment test (CAT)(MD −0.34, 95% CI −1.62 to 0.94, p = 0.60), modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC)(MD 0.17, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.39, p = 0.15) and Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ)(MD 1.32 95% CI −5.88 to 8.53, p = 0.72). Conclusions: This study has established the potential for delivery of PR via the internet in demonstrating non-inferiority of physical capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with conventional PR. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Long-term rehabilitation training for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease needs a more convenient and feasible way. In this study, internet-based rehabilitation showed similar effects as conventional rehabilitation on physical activity and health-related quality of life. Internet-based rehabilitation strategies would be helpful for this population. All internet-based rehabilitation strategies should be simple and sustainable.

Clinical Effectiveness of Home-Based Telerehabilitation Program for Geriatric Hip Fracture Following Total Hip Replacement.

To compare the effectiveness of a six-month home-based telerehabilitation based on the Internet-based rehabilitation management system coupled with conventional outpatient care in elderly patients with hip fractures following total hip replacement (THR). Elderly patients (aged over 65 years) with first hip fractures who underwent THR between March 2018 and September 2018 in Tianjin Hospital were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: telerehabilitation group (n=43) and telephone group (n=42). A Internet-based telerehabilitation management system was established and applied on patients in the telerehabilitation group. For patients in the telephone group, the rehabilitation intervention was administered through conventional outpatient care (telephone along with outpatient follow-up). Data from the Harris hip scale (HHS), functional independence measure (FIM), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and postoperative complications at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery were collected and compared between the two groups. A total of 85 elderly patients completed the 6-month follow-up assessment. Results showed that the HHS score was significantly higher in the telerehabilitation group than in the telephone group at 1 month (66.35 ± 4.63 vs 63.48 ± 4.49), 3 months (76.33 ± 4.52 vs 71.81 ± 3.84), and 6 months (84.23 ± 3.13 vs 77.29 ± 4.95) after surgery (P < 0.001). The FIM score was significantly higher in the telerehabilitation group than in the telephone group at 1 month (89.00 ± 5.63 vs 73.35 ± 8.70), 3 months (100.16 ± 4.56 vs 92.81 ± 5.17), and 6 months (111.70 ± 3.13 vs 98.64 ± 5.12) after surgery (P < 0.001). The SAS score was significantly lower in the telerehabilitation group than in the telephone group at 1 month (42.40 ± 3.07 vs 46.21 ± 3.53), 3 months (36.77 ± 2.26 vs 40.24 ± 1.66), and 6 months (29.26 ± 1.63 vs 33.81 ± 2.62) after surgery (P < 0.001). The overall complication rate was significantly lower in the telerehabilitation group than in the telephone group (14% vs 40.5%) (P < 0.05). Internet-based rehabilitation management system can not only promote the physical rehabilitation of patients, but also play a positive role in psychological rehabilitation and the prevention of complications, which provides new ideas and methods for clinical rehabilitation.

Internet-Based Information Sharing With Families of Patients With Stroke in a Rehabilitation Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case-Control Study.

BackgroundThe spread of COVID-19 has affected stroke rehabilitation. Given that inpatient visits are restricted in most institutions, alternative ways of providing information to family members are imperative. Informing families about patients’ rehabilitation progress via the web may help involve families in the rehabilitation process, enhance patients’ motivation to continue rehabilitation, and contribute overall to patients’ improvement in activities of daily living (ADL).ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the feasibility of the Internet-Based Rehabilitation Information Sharing (IRIS) intervention for families of patients with stroke at a rehabilitation hospital and examine the effect of IRIS on patients’ ADL improvement.MethodsIn this case-control study, participants were inpatients at a rehabilitation hospital between March 2020 and April 2021. The intervention group (information and communication technology [ICT] group) included patients and families who requested IRIS, which consisted of a progress report on patients’ rehabilitation using text, photos, and videos. Those who did not receive internet-based information were included in the non-ICT group. The control group, matched with the ICT group based on a 1:1 propensity score, was selected from the non-ICT group. The covariates for calculating the propensity score were patients’ age, sex, and motor and cognitive scores on the Functional Independence Measure at admission. The main outcome was the degree of ADL improvement during hospitalization. Multiple regression analysis (forced entry method) was performed to confirm the impact of ICT use on ADL improvement. The independent variables were the presence of intervention, length of hospital stay, and number of days from onset to hospitalization.ResultsIn total, 16 groups of patients and families participated in the IRIS. The mean age of patients was 78.6 (SD 7.2) and 78.6 (SD 8.2) years in the ICT and control groups, respectively. The median total Functional Independence Measure difference was 28.5 (IQR 20.3-53.0) and 11.0 (IQR 2.8-30.0) in the ICT and control groups, respectively, and the ICT group showed significant improvement in ADL function (P=.02). In the multiple regression analysis of the ICT and control groups, the unstandardized regression coefficient was 11.97 (95% CI 0.09-23.84) for ICT use. These results indicate that ICT use was independently and significantly associated with improvement in ADL.ConclusionsThis study examined the effect of IRIS on family members to improve ADL in patients with stroke who are hospitalized. The results showed that IRIS promotes the improvement of patients’ ADL regardless of age, sex, motor and cognitive functions at admission, and the length of hospital stay.

Effect of Home-based Telerehabilitation on the Postoperative Rehabilitation Outcome of Hip Fracture in the Aging Population.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of home‐based telerehabilitation based on the Internet‐based rehabilitation management system on hip function, activities of daily living and somatic integrative ability of elderly postoperative hip fracture patients.MethodsFrom June 2020 to November 2020, we recruited 58 elderly postoperative hip fracture patients and randomly assigned them to the telephone group (n = 29) and the telerehabilitation group (n = 29). Both groups received routine discharge instructions, and the former received telephone follow‐up after discharge, while the latter received remote rehabilitation based on the Internet‐based rehabilitation management system. The Harris hip score (HHS), functional independence measure (FIM), timed up‐and‐go test (TUG), and short physical performance battery (SPPB) were used to evaluate the patients' hip function, activities of daily living, and overall somatic ability.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the baseline data of the two groups before the intervention (P > 0.05); no matter after hip replacement or internal fixation, the HHS score and FIM score of both groups increased gradually with the postoperative time, and the scores in the telerehabilitation group were higher than those in the telephone group at 1 and 3 months after the intervention, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05); for patients after hip replacement, the TUG and SPPB scores in the telerehabilitation group were better than those in the telephone group at 3 months after the intervention, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe Internet‐based rehabilitation management system applied to postoperative home rehabilitation of elderly hip fracture patients can improve the functional recovery of the hip joint and enhance the ability to perform activities of daily living and somatic integration to a certain extent. This seems to provide an effective option for conducting home rehabilitation.

Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation versus standard care after acute onset vertigo: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDizziness and vertigo affect around 15% of adults annually and represent common reasons for contacting health services, accounting for around 3% of all emergency department visits worldwide. Vertigo is also associated with excessive use of diagnostic imaging and emergency care and decreased productivity, primarily because of work absenteeism. Vestibular rehabilitation is an evidence-based treatment for chronic dizziness and supervised group exercise therapy has recently been shown to be effective after vestibular neuritis, a common cause of acute onset vertigo. However, such interventions are not readily available and there is a need for more easily accessible tools. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects on vestibular symptoms of a 6-week online vestibular rehabilitation tool after acute onset vertigo, with the aim of aiding vestibular rehabilitation by presenting a more accessible tool that can help to reduce recovery time.MethodsThree hundred twenty individuals diagnosed with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) will be recruited from multiple hospitals in Sweden and the effects of an online vestibular rehabilitation tool, YrselTräning, on vestibular symptoms after acute onset vertigo will be compared to standard care (written instructions leaflet) in a two-armed, evaluator-blinded, multicenter randomized controlled trial. The primary outcome will be the Vertigo Symptom Scale Short Form (VSS-SF) score at 6 weeks after symptom onset. Secondary outcomes include effects of the intervention on activities of daily living, mood and anxiety, vestibular function recovery, mobility measures, health economic effects, and the reliability of the Swedish VSS-SF translation.DiscussionParticipants using the online vestibular rehabilitation tool are expected to recover earlier and to a greater extent from their symptoms as compared to standard care. Since up to 50% of people with AVS without treatment develop persistent symptoms, effective treatment of AVS will likely lead to a higher quality of life and help reduce the societal costs associated with dizziness and vertigo.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT05056324. Registered on September 24, 2021.

Internet+Continuing Nursing (ICN) Program Promotes Motor Function Rehabilitation of Patients With Ischemic Stroke.

Ischemic stroke is a severe disorder with high rates of death and recurrence that causes disability in patients and for which there is currently no effective treatment. Internet-based rehabilitation helps patients with disability recover at home with the help of their household or family members in a nonclinical setting. However, the effects of the internet+continuing nursing (ICN) program on the recovery of patients after ischemic stroke remains unknown. In the present study, patients were treated with an ICN-based rehabilitation training program; subsequently, the Self-efficacy Scale for Chronic Disease, Questionnaire of Exercise Adherence, Motor Assessment Scale, Activities of Daily Living, and Stroke-specific Quality of Life were performed to evaluate the effects of the ICN program on patient self-confidence to persist with rehabilitation, functional exercise compliance, motor function, ability to live independently and quality of life following ischemic stroke. We observed that, after the ICN intervention for 6 weeks and 3 months, the scores of Self-efficacy Scale for Chronic Disease, Questionnaire of Exercise Adherence, Motor Assessment Scale, Activities of Daily Living, and Stroke-specific Quality of Life in the ICN-treated group were significantly higher compared with those in the control group. These results suggested that the ICN program may promote the recovery of patients after ischemic stroke.

Effect of Internet-Based Rehabilitation Programs on Improvement of Pain and Physical Function in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, debilitating, and degenerative joint disease. However, it is difficult for patients with knee OA to access conventional rehabilitation when discharging from the hospital. Internet-based rehabilitation is one of the promising telemedicine strategies to provide a means combining monitoring, guidance, and treatment for patients with knee OA.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis for assessing the effect of internet-based rehabilitation programs on pain and physical function in patients with knee OA.MethodsKeywords related to knee OA and internet-based rehabilitation were systematically searched in the Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), CNKI, SinoMed, and WANFANG databases from January 2000 to April 2020. Only randomized controlled trials were included. The authors independently screened the literature. The main outcome measures were focused on pain and physical function. A meta-analysis was performed on the collected data. Review Manager (RevMan, version 5.3) was used for all analyses.ResultsThe systematic review identified 6 randomized controlled trials, 4 of which were included in the meta-analysis, comprising a total of 791 patients with knee OA. The meta-analysis with the fixed-effects model showed that the internet-based rehabilitation programs could significantly alleviate the osteoarthritic pain for patients compared with conventional rehabilitation (standardized mean difference [SMD] –0.21, 95% CI −0.4 to –0.01, P=.04). No significant difference was found in the improvement of physical function in patients with knee OA compared with conventional rehabilitation within 2 to 12 months (SMD –0.08, 95% CI −0.27 to 0.12, P=.43).ConclusionsThis systematic review shows that internet-based rehabilitation programs could improve the pain but not physical function for patients with knee OA. However, there was a very small number of studies that could be included in the review and meta-analysis. Thus, further studies with large sample sizes are warranted to promote the effectiveness of internet-based rehabilitation and to develop its personalized design.

Internet-based cognitive rehabilitation for WORking Cancer survivors (i-WORC): study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCognitive problems are common in non-central nervous system cancer survivors. These problems are perceived as an important contributor to decline in work performance and work ability. Various interventions for cognitive problems have been proposed, but effectiveness regarding work-related outcomes has not yet been established. Effective treatment options to alleviate the adverse influence of cognitive problems on work performance are needed for working cancer survivors. In this paper, we will describe the design of a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial that evaluates the (cost-)effectiveness of an Internet-based cognitive rehabilitation program for occupationally active cancer survivors confronted with cognitive problems.Methods/ designA three-armed randomized controlled trial will be conducted, including two intervention groups (i.e., basic and extensive cognitive rehabilitation program) and one waitlist control group. In total, 261 cancer survivors (18–65 years) who have returned to work and who experience cognitive problems will be recruited. Patients with and without cognitive impairment as established in a neuropsychological assessment will be eligible; stratification will take place based on the presence of this cognitive impairment. The extensive intervention arm will contain a comprehensive training program (including psycho-education, fatigue management, and cognitive strategy training) with individual guidance (blended intervention). The basic intervention arm will contain a brief cognitive training program (including psycho-education and fatigue management) without individual guidance. The primary outcome will be accomplishment of an individually defined work-related treatment goal. Secondary outcomes include, among others, subjective cognitive functioning, work functioning, and quality of life. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline (T0) and at 12 weeks (T1) and 26 weeks (T2) post-randomization.DiscussionAbout 40–50% of the cancer patients worldwide are of working age at time of diagnosis. Many of the occupationally active cancer survivors experience cognitive problems. Both from an individual and a societal perspective, it is important to sustain cancer survivors’ employability. An effective treatment to alleviate the impact of cognitive decline and to improve work ability might help cancer survivors to sustain employability.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03900806. Registered on 03 April 2019 (current status: ongoing).

Nursing standard of internet-based rehabilitation for patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Patients with COVID-19 may have respiratory dysfunction, physical dysfunction, and psychological dysfunction. Rehabilitation and long-term follow-up management are particularly important for these patients. Traditional face-to-face rehabilitation possesses high risk of infection, low coverage, time-consuming and laborious. While online rehabilitation nursing mode will be more feasible by using mobile internet technology. Based on literature review and focus group discussion, we standardize the internet-based nursing assessment, plan formulation, implementation, and effectiveness evaluation on discharged patients with COVID-19.We hope it can give guidance for nurses to provide better care for patients.

Internet-based support system and rehabilitation of drug users under maintenance treatment.

Internet-based support system and rehabilitation of drug users under maintenance treatment.

Use and Mediating Effect of Interactive Design Features in Audiology Rehabilitation and Self-Management Internet-Based Interventions.

The purpose of this study is to explore the presence of key interactive design features across Internet-based audiology rehabilitation and self-management interventions, and whether there is evidence of them mediating effects of the intervention. Adult audiology interventions relevant to this review were identified through a literature search in Google Scholar and a hand search of key journals. Four key interactive design features that have been proposed to mediate the effects of Internet-based health interventions were reported for each intervention: social context and support, contacts with the intervention, tailoring, and self-management. Five interventions were identified as representative examples of work in the field. Social context and support and contacts with the intervention were provided in most interventions, mainly through clinician guidance. Only 1 intervention utilized tailoring to personalize intervention content to individual users, but use was minimal. Self-management features were also used in all interventions but the precise nature of these features was poorly reported. Future studies should assess the optimal dose and combinations of intervention features for maximizing efficacy in audiology intervention. To be specific, the role of tailoring should be explored, which has been identified as a potential mediator of intervention outcome in the wider e-health literature.

Optimizing the Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme by Internet-based Interventions: A literature review

Cardiac rehabilitation program which includes exercise training, nutritional advice, psychosocial and risk factors counseling is traditionally applied for myocardial infarction survivor. However, the low participation rate [1] of cardiac rehabilitation has been reported globally. Recently home-based cardiac rehabilitation program is developed as an alternative approach [2][3][4] to overcome the challenges of low referral rate, inaccessibility of program site, and optimize the utilization of the program. Unfortunately, client may not be able to sustain the modified health behavior in their daily life after the completion of the cardiac rehabilitation programme. To date, the internet-based cardiac rehabilitation program has showed significant in improving the cardiovascular risk factors at the end of the cardiac rehabilitation program. [5][6][7][8] However, there are limited studies to review the significant of internet- based interventions of home- based cardiac rehabilitation in sustention of health behavior in long term. This review will fill the knowledge gap of how the internet-based interventions on home-based cardiac rehabilitation program modify the risk behavior for myocardial infarction survivor in the long run.

재활심리분석시스템의 폭주서비스 감내를 위한 지연기반 인증모델

ABSTRACT Today's rapidly changing society can lead to maladaptive behaviors. In the situations, rehabilitation psychology analysis using the on-line test be needed to solve the problem. However, Internet-based rehabilitation psychology analysis by a malicious attacker may still be vulnerable to denial-of-service attacks. The service flooding attacks render the server incapable of providing its service to legitimate clients. Therefore the importance of implementing systems that prevent denial of service attacks and provide service to legitimate users cannot be overemphasized. In this paper, we propose a puzzle protocol which applies to authentication model. our gradually strengthening authentication model improves the availability and continuity of services and prevent denial of service attacks and we implement flooding of service tolerance system to verify the efficiency of our model. This system is expected to be ensure in the promotion of reliability. 키워드 : 재활심리, 심리분석, 서비스거부공격, 인증시스템, 지연프로토콜

Power and support from the net: usability and sociability on an internet-based rehabilitation course for people with multiple sclerosis

Rehabilitation for people with a long-term progressive neurological disease like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is essential to obtain information on the disease and adapt to it. From a practitioners' point of view, it is important that the rehabilitation for MS should encourage patients' autonomy and improve their quality of life. The rehabilitation for MS patients are traditionally been face-to-face courses and personal physiotherapy, but the internet has enabled some forms of online rehabilitation. Because of the novelty of rehabilitation courses on the internet, studies on rehabilitation are still few and important also from a scientific point of view. The study at hand is a longitudinal case study on an internet-based rehabilitation course. The focus of the research is the concept of virtual community and especially sociability, which existed among the participants during the course. The results show that internet rehabilitation courses may suit MS patients. Peer support and the exchange of experiences were deemed by the participants to be the most important outcome of the online course. The trust level between the participants was very high. In contrast to several other studies, the present study shows that MS patients prefer knowing each other to anonymity on the internet rehabilitation courses.

Internet-based cognitive rehabilitation in individuals with acquired brain injury: A pilot feasibility study

Primary objective: The goal of the current study was to assess the feasibility of an Internet-based cognitive rehabilitation program for individuals with acquired brain injuries and memory impairment.Methods: Participants were 10 individuals with a history of an acquired brain injury and documented memory impairment. All participants received training in how to use a secure IM system. They were then scheduled to log into the system weekly to participate in online cognitive rehabilitation therapy sessions over the Internet. Treatment focused on training to use a calendar system aimed at improving accuracy and efficiency in home and work tasks. Participants underwent assessment of cognitive function, psychological status, level of functioning and use of compensation techniques both pre- and post-treatment.Results: All participants were able to learn to use the IM system. Only two of the 10 participants missed any planned sessions, despite severe memory impairments.Conclusions: Individuals with a history of an acquired brain injury with concomitant memory impairment appear to be able to learn how to successfully use an Internet-based cognitive rehabilitation program. Future research will assess whether participation in this Internet based cognitive rehabilitation program results in improved daily functioning.

Internet-based rehabilitation for individuals with chronic pain and burnout II: a long-term follow-up

This study is a long-term follow-up of a previously published study that used the internet in the rehabilitation of people on long-term sick leave owing to chronic pain and/or burnout. The follow-up was to assess the effects over time of this kind of rehabilitation. The goals of the first study were to improve the participants' health and work capacity. Sixty people were randomly assigned to either a treatment or a waiting-list group. A 20-week rehabilitation programme based on 19 films on different themes was supplemented with written material and a dialogue over the internet. Fifty participants, 25 in each group, were followed up for 1 year after programme completion. They were administered the same questionnaire (SF-36, HAD, Stress Barometer) that they had taken immediately before (pre) and after (post) the rehabilitation programme. No significant differences were found regarding stress and health between the treatment and waiting-list groups at the time of the 12-month follow-up. Significant group differences were, however, seen in work capacity (number of hours worked per week): 52% of the participants in the treatment group reported an increased work capacity, compared with only 13% in the waiting-list group (P=0.005). Rehabilitation of people on long-term sick leave, which is carried out over the internet seems to complement other rehabilitation programmes as well.

Internet-based rehabilitation for individuals with chronic pain and burnout: a randomized trial

This study investigates utilization of the Internet in the rehabilitation of people on long-term sick leave with chronic pain and/or burnout. Fifty-five people were randomly assigned to two groups: a treatment group (n = 27) that participated in a rehabilitation course over the Internet and a waiting list group (n = 28). The goals were to improve participants' health and increase quality of life, and, for those who were not on permanent disability pensions, to increase work capacity, if possible. A 20-week program, based on 19 films on different themes, was supplemented with written material and a Socratic dialogue over the Internet. Upon completion of the rehabilitation course, statistically significant improvements were observed in the treatment group in comparison to the waiting list group, for variables such as depression, pain, vitality, social function, performance problems involving work or other activities due to physical illness and the presence of stress symptoms. Thirteen of 23 individuals (57%) also increased their work capacity. The number needed to treat regarding recovering from anxiety and depression was 2. For increased work capacity, the number needed to treat was 3. Rehabilitation of people on long-term sick leave carried out over the Internet is a good complement to other rehabilitation programs.