Is Telephysiotherapy an Option for Improved Quality of Life in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee?

Abstract

This study investigated effect of a 6-week telephysiotherapy programme on quality of life (QoL) of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Fifty patients with knee OA were randomly and equally assigned into two treatment groups: clinic group (CG) and telephysiotherapy group (TG). The CG received physiotherapist-administered osteoarthritis-specific exercises in the clinic thrice weekly for 6 weeks while the TG received structured telephone monitoring with self-administered osteoarthritis-specific exercises for the same duration at home. Participants' QoL was assessed using WHOQoL-Bref at baseline, second, fourth, and sixth week of intervention. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and independent Student's t-test. Within-group comparison showed significant improvements in physical health domain (P = 0.00* for TG and CG) and psychological domain (P = 0.02* for TG; P = 0.00* for CG) of WHOQoL following six-week intervention. However, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in TG and CG's social relationship and environment domains. Between-group comparison showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) between CG and TG's physical health, psychological, and social relationships domains of WHOQoL following 6-week intervention. However, there was significant difference in the environment domain (P < 0.05). Telephysiotherapy using telephone medium improved QoL in patients with knee OA comparable to clinic based treatment.

Physical Therapists’ Perceptions of Telephone‐ and Internet Video–Mediated Service Models for Exercise Management of People With Osteoarthritis

“…Although there is some evidence that telephone‐delivered physical therapist advice and management for people with musculoskeletal conditions , including OA , is as effective as usual care, therapists in our study did not reach majority agreement on statements relating to the acceptability, effectiveness, usefulness, and safety of this delivery mode. While general practitioners and physical therapists who were surveyed about PhysioDirect held overall positive attitudes about the service, the majority believed that most patients would still need to be seen face‐to‐face .…”

“…A recent Australian clinical trial has shown that exercise delivered by physical therapists via Skype, in combination with a web‐based pain coping skills program, improves pain and function in people with knee OA compared to internet‐delivered educational material . There is also preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of telephone‐delivered care for people with knee OA . Furthermore, the UK‐based telephone service PhysioDirect (initial assessment and advice from a physical therapist prior to face‐to‐face therapy) is equally as clinically effective as usual physical therapy care (waiting list for face‐to‐face physical therapy treatment) for people with musculoskeletal conditions and provides faster access to care .…”

What interventions can improve quality of life or psychosocial factors of individuals with knee osteoarthritis? A systematic review with meta-analysis of primary outcomes from randomised controlled trials

“…There was very limited evidence with small effect that a telephone-monitored exercise was as effective as clinic-based exercise (SMD=0.03, CI −0.52 to 0.59)50 in improving QoL in individuals with knee OA (figure 6). …”

Consumer Perceptions of and Willingness to Use Remotely Delivered Service Models For Exercise Management of Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis: A Cross‐Sectional Survey

“…Research in people who have undergone knee arthroplasty has found tele‐rehabilitation outcomes to be comparable to conventional face‐to‐face care . The single small study investigating the role of tele‐rehabilitation for exercise management of people with knee OA supports these findings .…”