International Journal of Telerehabilitation最新文献

Traumatic injuries to the upper limbs, especially to the hands and wrists, have the potential to trigger chronic conditions with pain, loss of productivity and decreased quality of life. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the effects of telerehabilitation on the physical and functional capacity of individuals with traumatic upper limbs fractures. Searches were conducted in the MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, PEDRO, Cochrane, LILACS, and Science Direct databases. Three randomized clinical trials involving 830 patients with at least one intervention group and one comparison group were included in this systematic review. Risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro Scale and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. Telerehabilitation seems to have favorable effects on functional capacity and pain perception and controversial effects on physical capacity (handgrip strength) in individuals with traumatic upper limb fractures.

For patients with low vision, rehabilitation enables the performance of daily activities and the acquisition of skills while enhancing quality of life, despite vision loss. Access to comprehensive low vision rehabilitation services, however, is often limited. The rise of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated innovative delivery of healthcare, including telerehabilitation for low vision. This literature review was undertaken to evaluate the current evidence regarding telerehabilitation conducted by occupational therapists for patients with low vision. In this review, studies investigating the effects of new programs largely found significant improvements in outcomes. Results of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial found that reading ability significantly improved and results did not differ between therapies conducted through telerehabilitation or in-office. Additionally, studies surveying providers and patients regarding their sentiments about telehealth found that comfort level and overall satisfaction were similar between in-office visits and telerehabilitation.

The research into and the adoption of telerehabilitation has greatly expanded over the last two decades. With this increasing level of interest in telerehabilitation there is a need for a comprehensive definition. The Telerehabilitation Special Interest Group of the World Federation of Neurorehabilitation is comprised of a diverse group of researchers from over 30 countries and so is well placed to reach a consensus on a definition of telerehabilitation and disseminate this widely. An e-Delphi approach was employed within the special interest group to reach a consensus on the definition. The agreed comprehensive definition of telerehabilitation includes a formal definition, an abbreviated version and a lay version, each with distinct purposes. A description of the scope of telerehabilitation is included, as well as an overview of the various modes of telerehabilitation. It is anticipated that this definition of telerehabilitation may assist researchers, clinicians, advocates and policy makers in a range of purposes.

Mobility impairments limit access to wheelchair services, especially in rural settings. Telehealth offers one potential solution to improve access. The purpose of this paper is to describe the current perceptions of telehealth wheelchair follow-up services among a select group working in the industry. A 35-question survey was completed by 32 stakeholders in the wheelchair industry to describe their perceptions of telehealth effectiveness, facilitators, and barriers for wheelchair provision and follow-up. Telehealth was generally perceived as effective for reaching rural populations, but specific subpopulations and technology requirements should also be considered. Respondents also indicated which Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) billing codes are commonly used for wheelchair services. The results of this survey will be used to design a quality improvement project within a rural healthcare system. This project will aim to improve access to wheelchair follow-up services via telehealth that are feasible and sustainable for the local healthcare system.

This study explores Malaysian parents' perspectives on speech-language pathology (SLP) telepractice services during the COVID-19 lockdown. SLP services for families living in rural areas of Malaysia can be challenging, due to travel issues associated with distance, transportation costs, scheduling conflicts, and for patients with restricted physical mobility. To investigate the efficacy of SLP services in Malaysia during the COVID-19 lockdown, 70 parents' preferences and perspectives were explored via a survey of demographics, service engagement, and views on telepractice. During lockdown, 48.6% of children received in-person speech-language services, while 38.6% received telepractice or combined services. Of those receiving services, 91.2% reported benefits, but 70.4% disagreed that telepractice could replace in-person sessions. Parents reported children's attention span and rapport-building challenges with telepractice. Attitudes about telepractice varied: 14.3% positive, 60% negative, 25.7% neutral. Open-ended responses revealed that some held a preference for in-person services due to attention, communication, and technological barriers. The telepractice benefits noted were parental involvement and convenience. The findings suggest a shift toward remote therapy during the COVID-19 lockdown, with positive parental perceptions. However, doubts remain about the ability of telepractice to fully replace in-person sessions, warranting further research on therapy effectiveness and limitations.

Introduction: Although telehealth use in schools can address gaps in service access, implementation in the school setting lags. This study describes factors that influence implementation of telehealth in school health services.

Methods: A protocol was published a priori. Using scoping review methods, articles were sought in five academic databases pertaining to regulated health providers' use of telehealth in kindergarten to grade 12 schools. Two reviewers completed source selection and data extraction. Data were charted to the diffusion of innovations theory and content analysis performed.

Results: Of 6585 unique sources considered, 70 articles were included. Multiple factors were described influencing telehealth implementation in schools. The most salient factors reported for successful implementation included provider training, access to reliable technology, availability of an e-helper, and policies to support ethical telehealth delivery.

Conclusion: Telehealth use in schools is increasing; however, successful implementation requires planning that considers how and why such innovations are adopted.

Few studies have examined the factors influencing participant acceptability and engagement of telerehabilitation-based interventions. The study purpose was to describe the experiences of participants who were randomly assigned to the Lung Transplant Go (LTGO) telerehabilitation intervention group of a two-group, randomized, controlled parent trial. Survey measures included usability and familiarity with technology, exercise self-efficacy, and intervention adherence rates. Semistructured interviews (SSI) were completed at 3- and 6-months post-intervention. Survey scores and adherence rates were high. SSI responses were generally positive with reported benefits including motivation, building strength, and becoming more physically active. Frustrations reported with technology or delivery were few and promptly resolved. Participants were willing to participate in the LTGO intervention again. Those who demonstrate limited familiarity with information technologies may benefit from additional support prior to intervention delivery.

Background: This review aims to identify how telehealth was utilized to address occupational dysfunction during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Methods: A scoping review following Arksey and O'Malley's stages was utilized to explore appropriate research. The scoping review covered articles from January 2020 to December 2022.

Results: A total of 23 articles are included in this scoping review which include 15 from the adult age group and eight from the pediatric.

Conclusions: The use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to improve occupational dysfunction, both within the adult and pediatric settings. Further research is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the use of telehealth to address occupational dysfunction.

Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is a rights-based approach that aims to provide equitable health services and participation opportunities for people with disabilities. Telerehabilitation has emerged as a potential methodology for delivering health care within the CBR framework. However, the accessibility of telerehabilitation presents unique challenges for children with disabilities (CWD) in communities with low socioeconomic status. This phenomenological qualitative study explores the barriers and facilitators that influence the participation of families of CWD in telerehabilitation as a method of CBR in urban poor communities. Nine focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted involving 75 primary caregivers of CWD. Inductive thematic analysis using NVivo software was employed to analyze the collected data, revealing four themes that impact participation in Telerehabilitation: Economic and Social Resources, Self-Competency Affecting Transition, Flexible Service Delivery Mechanism, and Safety and Security as a Threat to Participation. The findings emphasize the intricate interplay of factors influencing the accessibility of telerehabilitation services for CWD from low-income households. Actionable strategies to address these challenges include providing affordable technology and internet access, offering training and support to families, developing culturally sensitive resources, establishing safety protocols, and advocating for inclusive policies and funding mechanisms. Collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and families is essential in building a resilient and equitable healthcare system that prioritizes the needs of CWD living in poverty. The insights gained from this study can inform the development of targeted interventions and support systems to ensure that no child is left behind in accessing quality care despite the digital and socioeconomic divides.