Telerehabilitation For Patients Research Articles

Effectiveness of Home Tele-Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review of The Literature

The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the published studies on the scientific evidence of the effectiveness of home telerehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in particular to determine whether its benefits are not inferior to those of classic outpatient or inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation. A systematic review of the electronic databases Medline, Cochrane Library, PEDro, BMJ Best Practice, BMC Pulmonary Medicine, LILACS, academic search and ScienceDirect was performed to identify randomized controlled clinical trials, a parallel non-inferiority trial and a pilot study. Reference lists of selected studies were also reviewed for additional eligible articles focusing on telerehabilitation via videoconferencing (n = 2), one study focusing on an online respiratory therapist-delivered exercise program (n = 1), and one study focusing on a mobile phone-based COPD exercise program (n = 1). The telerehabilitation programs showed that exercise capacity and quality of life were not inferior to those of a hospital-based outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program. The level of scientific evidence is moderate. More high-quality studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in patients with COPD.

Prerequisites and barriers to telerehabilitation in patients with neurological conditions: A narrative review.

A field of study that uses telerehabilitation (TR) is neurorehabilitation; however, standards for medical and technological applications, medicolegal and ethical regulations, and other aspects of neuro-TR are still being developed. To address the prerequisites and barriers for implementing TR in neurorehabilitation in the light of present findings. A narrative review was conducted based on specific questions about the prerequisites for neuro-TR and barriers to its implication. According to a foreground search strategy in the context of neurorehabilitation using TR in neurological patient population, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched and reviewed. Barriers and prerequisites for neuro-TR were mostly grouped under the categories of administrative/organizational, human (beneficiaries/providers), technical, and ethical. Apart from the technical framework, knowledge and the presence of an administrative leader responsible for overseeing TR are crucial prerequisites. The internet and technological constraints rank highest among the barriers. Since neuro-TR is relatively new with minimal guidelines and regulations, highly technologic, and lack of established practices, it is imperative to determine and fully comprehend the criteria for its uses. After the prerequisites are established, it is imperative to recognize and address implementation constraints, which may differ depending on the community's infrastructure and neurologic condition.

Telerehabilitation Guidelines for Patients with Breast Cancer

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current developments in telerehabilitation, focusing on the regulatory and legal frameworks for delivering telerehabilitation services, the clinical manifestations of postmastectomy pain syndrome, and the role and significance of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) in the telerehabilitation of patients with breast cancer (BC). The document also explores telerehabilitation interventions for BC. A detailed description of the software and hardware tools is provided, including the structural and functional overview of the Telerehabilitation Platform (TRP), software modules such as "Telerehabilitation," "Medical Reports," the Administrative Subsystem, the Information-Analytical Subsystem, which encompass the PM&R physician’s digital workspace, the PM&R Expert Subsystem, and the Patient’s digital workspace. It also covers existing and prospective scales for evaluating the effectiveness of telerehabilitation, as well as the specifics of working with identified patients in accordance with the eHealth (Electronic Healthcare System of Ukraine) requirements. The guidelines conclude with organizational and methodological aspects for implementing telerehabilitation programs, including initial and stage-specific rehabilitation assessments, basic ICF sets, and various patient-specific telerehabilitation programs. These include a patient-centered program for the preoperative stage of telerehabilitation and individualized programs for the post-acute and long-term phases. The eight appendices include questionnaires, physical therapy programs, protocols, diaries, and requirements for the equipment and staff of the telerehabilitation/telemedicine office, among other resources.

Effect of Home-Based Cardiac Telerehabilitation in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Low adherence to hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation has been observed in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention. The effectiveness of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation in this setting is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation on exercise endurance, disease burden status, cardiac function, and quality of life in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 106 patients after percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving routine rehabilitation care and home-based cardiac telerehabilitation) or the control group (receiving routine care only), with 53 patients in each group. The 6-minute walking test, anerobic threshold, physical component summary score, mental component summary score, Vo2max, and left ventricular ejection fraction were measured in both groups before and 3 months after the intervention. Additionally, the Short-Form 12 scale and Family Burden Interview Schedule were used to assess quality of life and disease burden status. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in 6-minute walking test, anerobic threshold, Vo2max, physical component summary score, mental component summary score, Short-Form 12 scale, and Family Burden Interview Schedule scale scores compared with the control group (P<0.05). Results suggest that home-based cardiac telerehabilitation may improve exercise endurance and quality of life and reduce disease burden status in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Motor and Respiratory Tele-Rehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID-19 after Hospital Discharge: An Interventional Study.

The persistence of symptoms following COVID-19 infection represents a significant challenge in healthcare management. During the outbreak, tele-rehabilitation emerged as a new tool to support healthcare structures in providing rehabilitation services. This study assessed the effectiveness and the feasibility of a 3-week home-based motor and respiratory rehabilitation program for individuals with long COVID-19 after traditional rehabilitation. Twenty-three patients completed the program and underwent functional tests at different time points (i.e., baseline, at discharge from in-hospital rehabilitation and after tele-rehabilitation). Motor function was evaluated using the instrumented Six-Minutes Walking Test (i6MWT), with monitored heart rate and oxygen saturation. Additionally, respiratory function was measured via forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) tests. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) in motor and respiratory function were observed throughout the intervention, including an 18.3% increase in walked distance from the baseline. The findings suggest that the proposed home-based tele-rehabilitation shows potential in enhancing motor and respiratory function in patients with long COVID. Despite limitations such as the small sample size, lack of control group and the preliminary nature of the outcomes observed, the overall findings seem to support the feasibility of the proposed tele-rehabilitation program in managing long COVID symptoms and promoting functional recovery. Nevertheless, further research is needed to validate these findings and explore tele-rehabilitation's potential in broader and different patient populations.

Effectiveness of telerehabilitation in patients with post-COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of telerehabilitation on clinical symptoms, physical function, psychological function and quality of life (QoL) in patients with post-COVID-19.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).Data...

66 - Efficacy outcomes and adherence to MAIA digital platform for telemonitoring and telerehabilitation in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

66 - Efficacy outcomes and adherence to MAIA digital platform for telemonitoring and telerehabilitation in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Evaluation of the ability to participate in cardiac telerehabilitation in patients with acute decompensated heart failure: Tele-ADHF substudy

Evaluation of the ability to participate in cardiac telerehabilitation in patients with acute decompensated heart failure: Tele-ADHF substudy

An Opportunity for Management of Fatigue, Physical Condition, and Quality of Life Through Asynchronous Telerehabilitation in Patients After Acute Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

ObjectiveTo compare the preliminary efficacy of asynchronous telerehabilitation in patients after acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on fatigue, physical condition, quality of life, and feasibility of this pilot study with that of a booklet format. DesignRandomized pilot study with 2 intervention arms: asynchronous telerehabilitation group and booklet-based rehabilitation group, with 2 follow-ups at 3 and 6 months. SettingHospital. ParticipantsPatients discharged after COVID-19 were recruited and evaluated (N=35). InterventionsThe intervention consisted of a 12-week multimodal rehabilitation program via telerehabilitation or by a booklet. Main Outcome MeasuresFatigue as the main outcome and functional status, quality of life, and feasibility as secondary outcomes were evaluated. ResultsAfter the intervention, there was no significant difference between groups in fatigue, but there were significant differences in favor of the asynchronous telerehabilitation group for the 6-Minute Walk Test (p=.008), the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (p=.019), and physical quality of life (p=.035). These improvements were maintained throughout the 6-month follow-up. Telerehabilitation was shown to be a viable option, without incidents and with a higher adhesion (p=.028) than the booklet format. ConclusionsA multimodal rehabilitation program by means of asynchronous telerehabilitation appears as a more effective option than traditional formats in improving post–acute COVID-19 sequelae.

Effects of Telerehabilitation on Pain and Disability in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis explores the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in patients suffering from chronic neck pain, specifically on pain and disability. The research delves into an area of growing significance within the realm of healthcare, aiming to understand the impact of digital interventions on the rehabilitation process for individuals with prolonged neck pain. (2) Methods: The comprehensive review encompasses a wide array of studies evaluating the collective outcomes of numerous trials focused on telerehabilitation strategies. In this systematic review, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched to identify studies on telerehabilitation's impact on pain. (3) Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Using the Downs and Black quality assessment, three studies were classified as good and five as fair. The authors identify specific modalities within telerehabilitation, such as remote exercise programs and virtual consultations, that contribute significantly to positive patient outcomes. Meta-analysis indicated a significant overall effect of telerehabilitation on pain reduction (MD = -1.27; 95% CI = -2.06; -0.47; p = 0.002). These findings support telerehabilitation's efficacy in pain management. (4) Conclusions: The synthesis of evidence presented in this systematic review and meta-analysis underscores the potential of telerehabilitation as an effective and accessible means of managing chronic neck pain, offering valuable insights for both healthcare practitioners and policymakers in advancing patient-centered care.

Effectiveness of Inertial Measurement Unit Sensor–Based Feedback Assistance in Telerehabilitation of Patients with Diabetes after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of Inertial Measurement Unit Sensor–Based Feedback Assistance in Telerehabilitation of Patients with Diabetes after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of telerehabilitation in patients with nonspecific neck pain: A meta-analysis.

At a rate of more than 30% annually, neck pain is a very prevalent musculoskeletal ailment that is second only to low back pain as the most common cause of disability. Most occurrences of neck pain are nonspecific. Telerehabilitation is regarded as a potentially effective healthcare approach in this setting. This review aims to evaluate how a telerehabilitation-based intervention affected individuals with nonspecific neck pain (NNP) in terms of pain and disability. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov, CNKI, and WanFang were consulted from inception to September 2023, with the inclusion of randomized controlled trials only. The experimental data were meta-analyzed using RevMan 5.3. The meta-analysis contained eight studies; there was no significant difference in pain improvement in patients with NNP by telerehabilitation compared to conventional care (SMD = -0.10, 95% CI: -0.48 to 0.28), but there was a significant effect on disability improvement (SMD = -0.41, 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.03). Telerehabilitation demonstrated more significant improvements in pain (SMD = -1.16, 95% CI: -1.99 to -0.32) and disability (MD = -3.78, 95% CI: -5.29 to -2.27) compared to minimal or no intervention. This study emphasizes the potential benefits of employing telerehabilitation in patients with NNP, especially in reducing pain intensity and improving disability. But additional study is required to fully grasp the potential of telerehabilitation in this field.

Investigation of the barriers to and functional outcomes of telerehabilitation in patients with hand injury

BackgroundTelerehabilitation is an approach that is growing in importance and rapidly becoming more prevalent. However, the potential barriers to this approach and its effectiveness relative to face-to-face treatment still need to be determined. PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the technology and access barriers, implementation and organizational challenges, and communication barriers faced by patients undergoing postoperative telerehabilitation after hand tendon repair surgery. It also aimed to investigate the effect of telerehabilitation on pain, kinesiophobia, and functional outcomes. Study designProspective, open-label, nonrandomized comparative clinical study. MethodsThe study was conducted with 44 patients who underwent tendon repair surgery due to tendon injuries of the extrinsic muscles of the hand. Participants were divided into two groups (face-to-face group and telerehabilitation group). All participants received three physiotherapy sessions per week for 8 weeks from their surgery (via video conference using mobile phones to the telerehabilitation group). An early passive motion protocol was applied for flexor tendon and zone 5-7 extensor tendon repairs. Mallet finger rehabilitation was performed for zone 2 extensor tendon repairs, while an early active short arc approach was used for zone 3-4 repairs. The telerehabilitation and face-to-face groups received the same treatment protocols three times a week. In the eighth week of treatment (in the 24th session), the Turkish version of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Injury Questionnaire (DASH-T) and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia were administered to all patients. The telerehabilitation group also underwent a barrier questionnaire. A pretreatment assessment could not be conducted. The independent-sample t-test was used for DASH-T data, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was used for Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia to compare groups. ResultsIn the study, there were 24 participants (age: 31.58 ± 12.02 years) in the face-to-face group and 20 participants (age: 39.25 ± 12.72 years) in the telerehabilitation group. The two groups were similar in terms of DASH-T and pain (p = 0.103, effect size = 0.647, and p = 0.086, effect size = 0.652, respectively) in the 8 weeks. However, the telerehabilitation group had a higher fear of movement (p = 0.017, effect size = 3.265). The most common barriers to telerehabilitation practices were the fear of damaging the tendon repair and the need for help during the treatment. ConclusionsWe determined that face-to-face treatment in acute physiotherapy for patients who have undergone tendon repair may be more effective compared to telerehabilitation, as it appears to be less likely to induce kinesiophobia. However, in situations where face-to-face treatment is not possible (such as lockdown), telerehabilitation can also be preferred after at least one in-person session to teach and perform exercises.

Telemedicine Applications for Cancer Rehabilitation: Scoping Review.

Cancer is a significant public health issue worldwide. Treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy often cause psychological and physiological side effects, affecting patients' ability to function and their quality of life (QoL). Physical activity is crucial to cancer rehabilitation, improving physical function and QoL and reducing cancer-related fatigue. However, many patients face barriers to accessing cancer rehabilitation due to socioeconomic factors, transportation issues, and time constraints. Telerehabilitation can potentially overcome these barriers by delivering rehabilitation remotely. The aim of the study is to identify how telemedicine is used for the rehabilitation of patients with cancer. This scoping review followed recognized frameworks. We conducted an electronic literature search on PubMed for studies published between January 2015 and May 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting physical therapy telerehabilitation interventions for patients with cancer, including randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, feasibility studies, and usability studies. In total, 21 studies met the criteria and were included in the final review. Our search yielded 37 papers, with 21 included in the final review. Randomized controlled trials comprised 47% (n=10) of the studies, with feasibility studies at 33% (n=7) and usability studies at 19% (n=4). Sample sizes were typically 50 or fewer participants in 57% (n=12) of the reports. Participants were generally aged 65 years or younger (n=17, 81%), with a balanced gender distribution. Organ-specific cancers were the focus of 66% (n=14) of the papers, while 28% (n=6) included patients who were in the posttreatment period. Web-based systems were the most used technology (n=13, 61%), followed by phone call or SMS text messaging-based systems (n=9, 42%) and mobile apps (n=5, 23%). Exercise programs were mainly home based (n=19, 90%) and included aerobic (n=19, 90%), resistance (n=13, 61%), and flexibility training (n=7, 33%). Outcomes included improvements in functional capacity, cognitive functioning, and QoL (n=10, 47%); reductions in pain and hospital length of stay; and enhancements in fatigue, physical and emotional well-being, and anxiety. Positive effects on feasibility (n=3, 14%), acceptability (n=8, 38%), and cost-effectiveness (n=2, 9%) were also noted. Functional outcomes were frequently assessed (n=19, 71%) with tools like the 6-minute walk test and grip strength tests. Telerehabilitation for patients with cancer is beneficial and feasible, with diverse approaches in study design, technologies, exercises, and outcomes. Future research should focus on developing standardized methodologies, incorporating objective measures, and exploring emerging technologies like virtual reality, wearable or noncontact sensors, and artificial intelligence to optimize telerehabilitation interventions. Addressing these areas can enhance clinical practice and improve outcomes for remote rehabilitation with patients.

A study to evaluate the exercise prescription through video and brochure in telerehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis

AbstractBackgroundTelerehabilitation is an easy and creative approach to rehabilitation treatments for osteoarthritis. In telerehabilitation, there are various modes through which exercises can be explained to the patients. Videos and brochures are commonly used to send patients exercise plans. Videos are easy to understand and can mimic live demonstrations and brochures are easy to create and customise for every patient's need. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of brochure and video methods of exercise prescription through telerehabilitation in terms of exercise acquisition and retention.MethodsThe study design was a randomised clinical trial. A total of 110 knee osteoarthritis patients who agreed to participate in the telerehabilitation programme were recruited for the study. The patients were randomly assigned to a video and brochure group. After the initial consultation through videoconferencing, the prescribed exercises were sent on their phone in the form of video or electronic brochure. The participants were again contacted through video conferencing after 2 days and retention and acquisition tests were recorded.ResultsThe comparison of both groups through ‘t’ test showed no significant difference in exercise retention and acquisition. The mean and SD of exercise acquisition in the brochure group was 26.3455, ±5.7998 and in the video group was 27.2, ±5.47181 and mean and SD of exercise retention in the brochure group was 7.8727, ±2.31784 and in the video group was 7.6, ±1.256. Further analysis revealed that the hamstring stretching exercise was retained better in the video group than in the brochure group (p = 0.031*).ConclusionThe study found no significant difference in exercise acquisition and retention between the video and brochure groups. Hence, an exercise brochure can be equally effective as a video for exercise prescription if the brochure is developed by keeping in mind the principles of readability and the use of proper instructions.

Motivational Interviewing as a Tool to Increase Motivation and Adherence to a Long COVID Telerehabilitation Intervention: Secondary Data Analysis from a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Although motivational interviewing was originally developed to address abuse disorders, scientific evidence confirms that it is an increasingly used and effective approach in a wide range of therapeutic interventions. To date, however, no studies have analyzed the use of this tool in patients with persistent symptoms following coronavirus disease 2019, a condition known as Long COVID. To analyze the effectiveness of motivational interviewing with regard to the adherence to telerehabilitation for Long COVID using a mobile application. As a secondary objective, factors related to greater motivation before and after the motivational interviewing techniques were analyzed. This longitudinal design substudy used a sample of 52 adult patients with Long COVID participating in the intervention group of a randomized clinical trial. This trial examined the effectiveness of a telerehabilitation program for this population using a mobile application. This program included three motivational interviews to achieve maximum treatment adherence. In this study, the main variables were motivation and adherence to application use. Sociodemographic and clinical data, personal constructs, and affective state were also collected. Subsequently, a descriptive, correlational, and regression statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS Statistics program. The median motivation prior to the first motivational interview was 8 (IQR 2), the median at the end of the last motivational interview was 8.5 (IQR 2.75), and the change in motivation levels after the three motivational interviews was 0.5 (IQR 1). Affective state and final motivation scores were predictors of greater adherence to telerehabilitation treatment. A high level of motivation after participating in motivational interviewing appears to be related to higher levels of adherence to telerehabilitation in patients with Long COVID. This suggests that motivational interviewing may be an effective tool in the treatment of this disease.

Youtube as a source of information about stroke rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: Although stroke rehabilitation (SR) is part of post-stroke recovery, patients have limited knowledge on this subject. This study aims to analyze YouTube videos about SR in terms of the information value and quality. Methods: On YouTube.com; the word “SR” was searched in September 6th, 2021. The listed first 100 videos were classified according to count of like, dislike, source of upload, origin of country and contents of SR. Quality, reliability and accuracy of the videos were determined with Global Quality Score (GQS), Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and Modified DISCERN questionnaire, respectively. Results: According to the results of the study, 59 low quality, 28 medium quality, and 13 high-quality videos were determined. Eighty one percent of the videos contained insufficient data. Academic and physician-sourced videos comprised the majority (84.7%) of the high-quality group. A statistically significant result was found between the video sources and the number of views, likes, dislikes, comments, and video duration (p&lt;0.05). A weak positive correlation was found between video durations and GQS (r=0.671), JAMA benchmark criteria (r=0.665), modified DISCERN (r=0.701) scores (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Our results showed that most of the YouTube videos on SR have poor quality and insufficient data. High-quality videos have a longer duration and are uploaded by academic and physician video sources. YouTube can be considered an alternative resource besides tele rehabilitation for patients who need SR and whose health care was interrupted during the COVID pandemic. It can be said that higher-quality videos created by health professionals will be more useful for patient education in future.

The effect of exercise and education combination via telerehabilitation in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundA limited number of studies have investigated the effect of telerehabilitation in individuals with chronic neck pain (CNP). ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of holistic exercise and education combination via telerehabilitation on pain, disability, kinesiophobia, exercise adherence, quality of life and patient satisfaction in individuals with CNP. MethodsA two-armed, randomized controlled study was conducted with 40 participants with CNP. Patients were randomized into two groups: Telerehabilitation (TR) (n = 20) and Standard Rehabilitation (SR) (n = 20). The TR group was provided with exercise and education videos online. The same protocol was given to the SR group in the clinical setting. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after eight weeks of intervention. Satisfaction and usability levels of the TR group were assessed at week 8. ResultsTR group demonstrated better improvement in function, quality of life (including bodily pain, general health, social function), kinesiophobia and exercise adherence. The TR group was not superior to the SR group in pain and other quality-of-life subscores. A vast majority of the TR group had high satisfaction and usability. ConclusionComprehensive rehabilitation via TR increases satisfaction and participation in patients with CNP. Besides, TR provides more positive effects on function and kinesiophobia. Further studies should focus on the impact of telerehabilitation on pain and quality of life in CNP with a long-term follow-up.

The efficacy and safety of telerehabilitation for patients following total knee arthroplasty: a overviews of systematic reviews

BackgroundStudies evaluating the effectiveness and safety of telerehabilitation in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have increased. However, the study quality and results differ, systematic reviews are limited. We aimed to synthesise systematic reviews and meta-analyses to assess the effects of telerehabilitation in patients post-TKA.Materials and methodsSystematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding the effectiveness and safety of TKA telerehabilitation were retrieved from eight databases from establishment to 18 December 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2), Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) and GRADE system were used to evaluate results, methods, bias and evidence quality.ResultsThirteen systematic reviews and meta-analyses were analysed. The AMSTAR 2 showed low methodological quality in seven studies and very low quality in six. Among the key items, item 2 had been registered on website before systematic review in four reviews. Concerning item 4, did not provide a comprehensive search strategy in 4 reviews. For item 7, none of the reviews provided a list of reasons for excluding an article. For item 9, regarding whether appropriate tools were used to assess the risk of bias of each included study, one review was assessed as ‘partially yes’, one review only included RCTs, and the remainder were assessed as ‘yes’. For item 11, one review did not specify the statistical methods used, and three reviews did not conduct a meta-analysis. For item 13, four reviews considered the risk of bias when interpreting or discussing the study results. For item 15, seven reviews did not evaluate publication bias. The PRISMA scores of the 13 reviews ranged from 17.5 to 26.0. The PRISMA indicated that 69.2% had no protocol registration, 38.5% did not provide other materials and evidence certainty, 23.1% did not provide certainty assessment, 30.8% did not report study bias. According to the ROBIS scale, diferrent domains have diferrent risks in all the reviews.ConclusionTelerehabilitation positively affects walking ability, knee extension and patient costs post-TKA surgery. Regarding the quality of life, patient satisfaction and the WOMAC, telerehabilitation had similar effects to conventional rehabilitation. Owing to the low quality of the studies, these conclusions should be interpreted cautiously, high-quality studies are needed in the future.

Effect of a telerehabilitation exercise program versus a digital booklet with self-care for patients with chronic non-specific neck pain: a protocol of a randomized controlled trial assessor-blinded, 3 months follow-up

BackgroundNeck pain is the fourth worldwide leading cause of disability and represents 22% of musculoskeletal disorders. Conservative intervention has been strongly recommended to treat chronic neck pain and Telerehabilitation is the alternative for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. There is a lack of high-quality research on the effects of telerehabilitation in patients with neck pain and functional disability. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of a telerehabilitation exercise program versus a digital booklet only with self-care information in individuals with non-specific chronic neck pain.MethodsThis is a prospectively registered, assessor-blinded, two-arm randomized controlled trial comparing a telerehabilitation exercise program versus a digital booklet with self-care information. Seventy patients will be recruited with non-specific chronic neck pain. Follow-ups will be conducted post-treatment, 6 weeks, and 3 months after randomization. The primary outcome will be disability at post-treatment (6 weeks) measured using neck pain disability. Secondary outcomes will be pain intensity levels, global perceived effect, self-efficacy, quality of life, kinesiophobia, and adherence to treatment. In our hypothesis, patients allocated to the intervention group experience outcomes that are similar to those of those assigned to the self-care digital booklet. Our hypothesis can then be approved or disapproved based on the results of the study.DiscussionThis randomized clinical trial will provide reliable information on the use of telerehabilitation to treat patients with chronic non-specific neck pain.Trial registrationThe study was prospectively registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (number: RBR-10h7khvk). Registered on 16 September 2022.