Untitled

Abstract

This study assessed feasibility and patient acceptance and estimated the magnitude of the clinical impact of physical telerehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We recruited 12 consecutive patients with a known diagnosis of MS. Each patient received a custom-tailored rehabilitative exercise program prescribed by a physical therapist during a clinic visit. The patients were guided by the home telecare units in following their individualized exercise plan. After the patients used the physical telerehabilitation system for 12 weeks, a statistically significant improvement was shown in a timed 25-foot walk (from 13.8 +/-8.3 s to 11.3 +/-5.4 s), 6-minute walk (from 683.3 +/-463.8 ft to 806.5 +/-415.0 ft), and Berg Balance Scale score (from 38.8 +/-11.1 to 43.1 +/-9.9) as compared with the baseline. (Values are shown as mean +/standard deviation.) Patients were highly satisfied with the service. Home-based physical telerehabilitation can improve functional outcomes significantly in patients with MS. Abbreviations: BBS = Berg Balance Scale, CSQ-8 = Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (8 items), HAT = Home Automated Telemanagement, MAS = Modified Ashworth Scale, MMSE = Mini-Mental State Examination, MOS = Medical Outcomes Study, MS = multiple sclerosis, MSQOL-54 = MS QOL (54item scale), MSSE = MS Self-Efficacy Scale, MSWS-12 = 12-Item MS Walking Scale, PDDS = Patient-Determined Disease Steps, QOL = quality of life, T25FW = timed 25-foot walk, VA = Department of Veterans Affairs, VAMC = VA medical center.

Usability and Acceptance of an Interactive Tablet-Based Exercise Application: A Mixed Methods Study

“…With the feature of remote support of the patient, this app provides an opportunity of therapy extension between patient's home and clinic, allowing maintenance of contact with patients from wherever they are. Our results corroborate previous studies that reported high acceptance and satisfaction of blended therapy (defined as the combination of face-to-face therapy and remote support via TT) in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, multiple sclerosis and hip/knee osteoarthritis ( 20 , 43 , 44 ).…”

Web-based physical activity intervention for people with progressive multiple sclerosis: application of consensus-based intervention development guidance

“…[53][54][55] A vast array of digital technologies has been harnessed to support all aspects of MS care. 56 Examples include those which focus particularly on physical activity via web-based units of self-directed learning combined with exercise programmes prescribed by a physiotherapist and a texting or email service, 57 in-clinic prescribed exercise programmes combined with home-based automated prompt systems delivering reminders, 58 web-displayed physiotherapy-prescribed exercise routines alongside telephone calls or web-based asynchronous communication with physiotherapists. [59][60][61] None of these interventions however focus on people with high levels of disability and impairment and they do not combine real-time web conferencing to support patient-physiotherapist communication.…”

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation on Motor Impairments, Non-motor Symptoms and Compliance in Patients With Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review

“…Studies have been carried out using TR as a treatment strategy for different clinical disorders, e.g., neurologic disease [stroke (43,44), spinal cord injury (45), multiple sclerosis (46,47)], cardiopulmonary disease (coronary artery, congestive heart failure) (48), musculoskeletal dysfunctions (49,50) and chronic pain and rheumatic diseases (51). For example, Finkelstein et al (52) in their pilot study in 12 patients with multiple sclerosis report that TR resulted in improvements in gait and balance at the 25-foot walk, 6min Walking Test (6mWT), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Another study by Marshall et al (53) showed TR to be effective in individuals with lung problems who did not have access to treatment.…”