Agreement between tele-assessment and face-to-face assessment of 30-s sit-to-stand test in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background The globalization of healthcare systems, and the aim to lower healthcare costs have all contributed to the growth of telehealth technology in recent years. However, before these systems are put into use, their efficacy should be verified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study focusing on the evaluation of functional exercise capacity using the 30-s sit-to-stand (30-s STS) test as a tele-assessment method in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Aims The purpose of the study is to investigate the level of agreement between tele-assessment and face-to-face assessment of 30-s STS test in patients with T2DM. Methods Fifty participants performed two times 30-s STS tests separated by 1 h: a face-to-face and an Internet-connected video call examination (tele-assessment). Two physiotherapists conduct these evaluations; each was blinded to the other. The order of the evaluations was designated at random for each participant and physiotherapist. Results There was a good level of agreement between tele-assessment and face-to-face assessment of the 30-s STS test (mean differences = 0.20 ± 0.88, limits of agreement = 1.93 to − 1.53). Excellent interrater reliability was found for scores of the 30-s STS test [ICC = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.88; 0.96)]. In addition, all before and after test parameters show that there was a very good interrater reliability (ρ ≥ 0.75). Conclusions This study shows a good level of agreement between tele-assessment and face-to-face assessment of the 30-s STS test. Our study's findings indicate that tele-assessment is a potential application to determine the level of physical capacity remotely in patients with T2DM.

The Comparison of The Online and Face-to-Face Assessments of Physical Functions in Healthy Adults

“…Faceto-face assessment and tele-assessment were doing with WhatsApp application by different physiotherapists. This study revealed that although physiotherapists used different assessment methods, there was no difference between the results (27). In additionally, Mani et al showed that Tele-rehabilitation based assessments were valid and reliable for the neck pain intensity, active range of motion, deep neck flexor muscle endurance and disability with using computer program.…”