Remote Rehabilitation Conferences in the Age of SARS-CoV-2

Applying Information and Communication Technology to Promote Healthy Aging in Older People: Japan’s Challenges and Perspective

“…The demand for telerehabilitation has increased rapidly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have also reported on interventions aimed at balancing infection control and rehearsal (27,28) and the usefulness of methods of rehabilitation by specialists consulting remotely and providing advice to local staff (29). Mukaino et al developed a telerehabilitation system combining existing commercial equipment and computer applications for patients isolated in private rooms due to COVID-19.…”

“…The staff also regularly conducted detailed and objective evaluations to share information at a distance, which led to more careful evaluations and treatment. Moreover, staff began to speak more at conferences and participate more actively and voluntarily in discussions regarding patient treatment plans (29). These telerehabilitation systems have long been considered a countermeasure for uneven distributions of medical specialists and regional medical care in aging societies; however, the changes in social conditions caused by COVID-19 have increased the need for them all at once.…”

“…The aging of the population due to increasing life expectancy and decreasing fertility rates is occurring on a global scale (1). According to the 2021 White Paper on Ageing Society (2), the ratio of the population aged 65 years and over to the total population (aging rate) in Japan is 29.1% and the ratio of the population aged 25-64 years to the population aged 65 years and over, defined as the "potential dependency ratio," is one of the lowest in the world, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. As Japan enters a superaging society unparalleled worldwide, the anticipated shortage of human resources and finances in the medical and nursing care fields is critical.…”

Community-Based Rehabilitation After Brain Infarction in Japan: From the Acute Phase to Home

“…This approach, called telerehabilitation, may provide rehabilitation in a more convenient and inexpensive way. Currently, we conduct weekly rehabilitation conferences with hospitals 1,000 km away without a rehabilitation specialist (35). This was instigated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where travel to and from remote areas is restricted.…”

Balancing infection control and frailty prevention during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic: Introduction of the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Home Exercise Program for Older People Home Exercise Program for Older People 2020

“…4 From the perspective of infection control, it is difficult to provide rehabilitation services; thus, several remote rehabilitation services have been tested. 5 These systems have been very useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many electronic devices, and internet-based medical and welfare support tools have been developed, older individuals who rarely use the internet might have difficulty accessing these services.…”