310 research outputs found
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An Evaluation of Telepractice During the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Treatment of Speech and Language Disorders in Belgium
Full text linkThe aim of this article was to evaluate the sudden implementation of telepractice in Belgium during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 38-question survey was completed by 1,222 Dutch-speaking speech-language pathologists (SLPs) from Belgium. Most reported good or very good satisfaction with telepractice and that telepractice can be effectively used with clients of different ages and speech disorders with or without comorbidity. The SLPs reported when telepractice could be used most effectively. They also detailed their difficulties with both technology and client-related issues. Limitations when switching to telepractice included a lack of training and experience, and digital materials
A Mindfulness Program Addressing Sleep Quality and Stress: Transition to a Telehealth Format for Higher Education Students During COVID-19
Full text linkMany higher education students report sleep problems, further exemplified along with stress at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Promising evidence supports the use of mindfulness programming, although synchronous telehealth sessions have not been adequately examined. This exploratory eight-session telehealth mindfulness program utilized a pretest-posttest quantitative design to examine changes in sleep quality and perceived stress for 16 higher education students enrolled at a health professions-focused university. Sleep quality changes were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Z=-3.234, p=0.0012, d=-0.808) and perceived stress with the Perceived Stress Scale (Z=-3.102, p=0.0019, d=-0.776), both of which were significant. The results suggest that synchronous mindfulness programming delivered via telehealth has the potential to improve sleep quality and perceived stress in students, however, future studies should consider the use of objective measurements of sleep duration and quality, and a control group
Reliability of the Frontal Plane Knee Alignment Measurement Based on a Remote Protocol
Full text linkIntroduction: The analysis of movement quality is important for better exercise prescription. This study tested the reproducibility of a protocol for remote assessment of dynamic knee alignment using images taken by patients. Methods: Thirteen women filmed themselves performing single-leg squats on two days at a 15-day interval. Three raters measured the knee frontal plane projection angle using the resultant images. Results: Two participants (15.4%) were excluded for not performing the protocol correctly. The intraclass correlation coefficient was between 0.880 and 0.999 for the intra-rater comparison, and between 0.817 and 0.987 for the inter-rater comparison. Discussion: The success of the protocol in 84.6% of participants and the excellent reproducibility suggest that the methodology of analyzing patient-captured cell phone images might be a plausible alternative for remote evaluation of dynamic knee alignment.Introdução: A análise da qualidade do movimento é importante para uma melhor prescrição do exercício. Este estudo verificou a reprodutibilidade de um protocolo para avaliação remota do alinhamento dinâmico do joelho por meio de imagens obtidas pelos pacientes. Métodos: Treze mulheres filmaram com o celular a execução do agachamento unipodal após receberem instruções em vídeo. O ângulo de projeção do joelho no plano frontal foi medido nas imagens três vezes por três avaliadores e repetido após um intervalo de 15 dias. Resultados: Duas participantes (15,4%) foram excluídas por não realizarem o protocolo corretamente. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse ficou entre 0,880 e 0,999 na comparação intraexaminador e entre 0,817 e 0,987 na comparação interexaminador. Discussão: O sucesso do protocolo em 84,6% das participantes somado à excelente reprodutibilidade sugerem que o protocolo realizado a partir de imagens de celular captadas pelos pacientes pode ser uma boa alternativa para avaliação remota do alinhamento dinâmico do joelho
Telepractice with Preschool Children: Speech-language Pathologists’ Perspectives in Turkey
Full text linkThe purpose of this research was to investigate speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) perspectives, attitudes, and experiences of using telepractice for preschoolers in Turkey. A mixed-method online survey was used with SLPs who implemented telepractice with preschool children. Frequency distribution and theme analysis were used to examine the data. Therapy was the most offered online service (98%). Further, 67% of SLPs worked with speech sound disorders. More than half of SLPs felt confident offering telepractice to preschoolers. Most respondents thought that telepractice was an appropriate and easily accessible approach for preschool children, with the applicability of telepractice connected to a child’s type of problem. The SLPs were motivated by the numerous advantages of telepractice. However, their opinions were divided when telepractice was compared to in-person treatment. The SLPs in Turkey must be better educated about telepractice, and clinical standards established. The findings point to areas of telepractice that might be improved for preschoolers, especially in Turkey
Development of an Innovative Telerehabilitation System to Improve Handgrip Strength
Full text linkHandgrip strength is an essential function of the hand to perform day-to-day tasks. People lose grip strength due to various factors such as aging, diseases, and other medical conditions. According to neuroplastic principles, grip strength can be improved using goal-oriented tasks or exercises repeatedly and consistently. People often fail to adhere to meaningless repeated movements, including grip strength exercises. Studies have shown that game-based rehabilitation has improved exercise compliance and functional outcomes. This article explains the design and development of an affordable smartphone-based telerehabilitation system that include an innovatively designed grip strength device (eGripper) and a phone application to play games
The Health Economic Impact of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Delivered by Telehealth: A Systematic Review
Full text linkIntroduction: While the efficacy of telehealth in musculoskeletal physiotherapy has been supported, its cost effectiveness has not been established. Therefore, the objective of this review was to ascertain the health economic impact of outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy delivered by telehealth and describe methodology utilized to date. Methods: Electronic searching of PubMed, CINHAL, PEDro, and Web of Science databases was undertaken alongside handsearching for publications comprising: population: adults with musculoskeletal disorders managed in any type of outpatient ambulatory setting; intervention: physiotherapy delivered by telehealth comparison: traditional in-person physiotherapy; and, outcomes: economic analyses reporting costs and consequences. Appraisal was undertaken with the Downs and Black Questionnaire and the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards Checklist. Results: Eleven studies of mixed methodological quality were included. Most were conducted in the public sector, from the economic perspective of the health service funder. Telehealth consistently produced health outcomes akin to in-person care. In all but one, telehealth was less costly, with savings achieved by reducing in-person consultations and travel costs. Conclusion: Telehealth is as effective and cheaper than in-person physiotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders in public hospital outpatients. Further health economic research is needed to clarify the economic impact of telehealth upon non-government providers of musculoskeletal physiotherapy
Use of a Telerehabilitation Platform in a Stroke Continuum: A Qualitative Study of Patient and Therapist Acceptability
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to describe the acceptability of a stroke telerehabilitation platform from the perspective of both patients and therapists. Two public rehabilitation centers participated in a pilot telerehabilitation trial. A theoretical framework was used to conceptualize acceptability. Semi-structured individual interviews with patients and focus groups of therapists were conducted. Most participants and therapists were satisfied with the intervention. Participants emphasized the advantages of staying at home to get their treatments. Therapists were more skeptical at first about their self-efficacy to deliver therapy remotely. There was a consensus among therapists about the need for a combination of telerehabilitation and in-person visits to optimize treatments. While we found overall good acceptability, effectiveness of this technology could be improved via an accessible user interface, complementary rehabilitation material, and ongoing training and technical just-in-time support with therapists
Change in Daily Steps and Self-efficacy of Online Interactive Exercise Classes for Community-dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Preliminary Study
Full text linkAims: This study aimed to (1) examine the feasibility of an online interactive exercise class for community-dwelling older adults and (2) preliminarily examine changes in physical activity and self-efficacy. Methods: Participants were 25 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older, but due to 5 dropouts, the final number of participants for analysis was 20 (mean age 76.9 ± 5.7 years). The intervention program was conducted for 40 minutes each session, twice a week for four consecutive weeks, using the LINE group call (LINE Corporation, Japan). An online questionnaire was used to assess participant characteristics, modified Fall Efficacy Scale score, modified Gait Efficacy Scale (m-GES) score, self-rated health, and daily steps, which were compared pre- and post-intervention using the Wilcoxon signed-rank sum and chi-square tests. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test showed significant improvement in the m-GES score and daily steps. The chi-square test showed that self-rated health was significantly greater in the maintenance/increase group. Conclusions: Online interactive exercise classes are feasible for community-dwelling older individuals. These results also suggest the possibility of using telehealth to improve physical activity and self-efficacy
Implementing Team-Based Post-Stroke Telerehabilitation: A Case Example
Full text linkAccess to extensive, interdisciplinary rehabilitation following stroke is necessary to optimize recovery. Telerehabilitation is an appropriate model for delivering these services. However, given its relatively recent increase in popularity as a service delivery model, researchers have yet to explore the feasibility of interprofessional coordination and collaboration as a guiding framework for telerehabilitation and the effects of team-based remote service delivery on recovery of body functions and activities. This case example reports the development, implementation, and progression of a post-acute treatment program delivered via telerehabilitation to a woman with left hemorrhagic stroke. As is typical, therapy time alone afforded insufficient practice to exploit neuroplasticity and ensure maintenance and generalization of improved functioning; hence, the team worked collaboratively to encourage interdisciplinary activities outside scheduled treatment sessions. Standardized and informal assessments administered at the start and conclusion of treatment confirmed improved functioning as did the client’s progress toward independent living and return to work. Implications for telerehabilitation practices are discussed.
 
