The effectiveness and satisfaction of web-based physiotherapy in people with spinal cord injury: a pilot randomised controlled trial

Effect of Exercise on Mental Health and Health-related Quality of Life in Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of exercise interventions on mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with SCI.

DATA SOURCES

We searched Embase, CINAHL, Medline, PsychINFO, and SPORTDiscus from inception to September 2023.

STUDY SELECTION

We included randomized controlled trials that (1) involved participants ≥18 years old with a SCI; (2) administered an exercise intervention; and (3) measured subjective well-being, psychological well-being, social well-being, and/or HRQoL as outcomes. We reported standardized means differences (d) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), assessed the risk of bias by using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-bias Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB 2), and the certainty of the evidence using GRADE.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Nineteen studies (797 participants, mean age <65 years in every study) were included. Exercise improved overall well-being (d=0.494; 95% CI 0.268, 0.720; low certainty evidence), subjective well-being (d=0.543; 95% CI 0.270, 0.816; low certainty evidence), psychological well-being (d=0.499; 95% CI 0.193, 0.805; low certainty evidence), social well-being (d=0.452; 95% CI 0.151, 0.752; low certainty evidence), and HRQoL (d=0.323; 95% CI 0.072, 0.574; low certainty evidence). Four serious adverse events probably attributable to the interventions were reported in 3 studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise interventions can improve well-being and HRQoL in adults with SCI <65 years of age. Additional research is needed to determine effectiveness in adults ≥65 years of age.

Online physiotherapy for people with axial spondyloarthritis: quantitative and qualitative data from a cohort study

Life-long exercise is essential in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) management; however, long-term adherence is challenging. Online exercise programmes are an alternative to face-to-face physiotherapy. (1) To measure adherence to a 12-month, individualised, online physiotherapy programme for people with axSpA, and investigate the effects on disease activity, spinal mobility, work ability, quality of life and function. (2) To investigate associations between programme adherence and outcomes. (3) To explore participants' views of the programme and factors affecting adherence. Participants were 'non-exercisers' recruited from rheumatology outpatient services. Adherence was measured using online diary entries. Outcomes included the BATH indices, health status (EQ5D), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQOL), exercise capacity (6MWT), Work, Productivity and Activity Impairment in AS (WPAI), Exercise Attitude Questionnaire (EAQ) and Exercise Motivations Inventory-2 (EMI-2) at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Interviews determined views on the intervention and factors affecting adherence. Fifty participants were recruited. Over the 52-week intervention, adherence (five times/week) ranged from 19% (± 30%) to 44% (± 35%). Significant improvements were found in disease activity (BASDAI), spinal mobility (BASMI), 6MWT, AsQoL and EQ5D-VAS at 6 and 12 months. There were no associations between adherence and baseline variables or demographics. Interviews suggested support from others, routine, and feeling the benefit positively affected adherence. Conversely, lack of motivation, life events and symptoms negatively affected adherence. A 12-month online physiotherapy programme significantly improved symptoms in people with axSpA who were not regular exercisers. Adherence reduced over the intervention period. Online exercise programmes may benefit people with axSpA; however, strategies to improve adherence are required.

Telerehabilitation Is a Valid Option for Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients: A Retrospective Pilot Study Based on Our Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Total knee arthroplasty is an effective operation. Post-surgery rehabilitation, based on early and intensive progressive exercise programs, plays a substantial role and telerehabilitation can be an effective safe option. This retrospective study aimed to compare traditional in-presence rehabilitation and telerehabilitation for total knee arthroplasty, based on our experience during the Italian COVID-19 lockdown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 164 patients (94 females and 70 males) enrolled in 2020 within 2 weeks after total knee replacement to perform post-operative outpatient rehabilitation. The clinical results of 82 patients (mean age 66.8 ± 10.2 years) performing telerehabilitation with those obtained from a similar cohort of 82 patients (mean age 65.4 ± 11.8 years) performing traditional in-presence outpatient rehabilitation were compared. Clinical outcomes were examined by comparing the gait speed (Time Up and Go-TUG test), the range of motion, the pain intensity (VAS), the functional status (Oxford Knee Score-OKS and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-KOOS) and the overall satisfaction (Self-administered patient satisfaction scale) 12 weeks after the beginning of the physiotherapeutic protocol.

RESULTS

Telerehabilitation was non-inferior to traditional in-presence rehabilitation in all of the investigated areas and no statistical difference in terms of effectiveness was detected at 12 weeks, as confirmed by the respective patient-reported outcome scores such as TUG test (reduced from 20 ± 2 s to 12 ± 1.5 s for the telerehab cohort and from 18 ± 1.5 s to 13.1 ± 2 s for the in-presence rehabilitation one), pain VAS, OKS (improved from 22 ± 1.3 to 36 ± 2.7 for the telerehab cohort and from 23 ± 2.1 to 35.1 ± 4.2 for the in-presence group), KOOS (improved from 46.2 ± 10.2 to 67.4 ± 3.8 for the telerehabilitation cohort and from 48.4 ± 8.4 to 68.3 ± 6.6 for the other group), and the Self-administered patient satisfaction scale (more than two-thirds of patients globally satisfied with the results of their surgery in both groups).

CONCLUSION

The telerehabilitation program was effective after total knee replacement and yielded clinical outcomes that were not inferior to conventional outpatient protocols.

Perceptions of a self-guided web-based exercise programme for shoulder pain after spinal cord injury: A qualitative study

STUDY DESIGN

Qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES

The benefits of exercise to reduce shoulder pain in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) are well documented. Digital health interventions offer a potential solution to overcome barriers to access rehabilitation support for exercise. The aim of this project was to gain people's perspectives to inform the development of a self-guided web-based exercise intervention. Shoulder Pain Intervention delivered over the interNet (SPIN) is a self-guided web-based intervention to prescribe, monitor, and progress evidence-based exercises for people living with SCI and shoulder pain.

SETTING

Community in Auckland, New Zealand.

METHODS

The Person-Based Approach was used as the framework. Using an Interpretive Descriptive methodology, data were collected in individual and focus group interviews, exploring participants' perceptions of this intervention idea. Data were analysed using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Sixteen participants took part and asked Is it right for me?. This had three main sub-themes. Should I use it?, whether I believe it will work for me right now; Can I use it?, whether I can operate the intervention competently and confidently and Will I use it?, whether it will be responsive to my unique needs, and keep me coming back.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants expressed their expectations and tipping points when considering using an intervention like this. These findings will inform and guide design and development of an acceptable technology-based intervention to increase the likelihood of engagement with a self-guided web-based exercise programme. The model developed from these themes could be used to inform future self-guided intervention development.

Physical activity promotion to persons with spinal cord injury by health and exercise professionals: A scoping review

OBJECTIVES

Health and exercise professionals (HEPs) are ideal promoters and valued messengers of physical activity (PA) information among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, little is known about what strategies used by HEPs increase PA behavior in persons with SCI, or what factors influence HEPs when promoting PA to persons with SCI. The purposes of this scoping review were to (1) ascertain the extent, range and nature of the literature, (2) identify strategies used by HEPs that are associated with an increase in PA behavior for persons with SCI, and (3) identify the facilitators and barriers to PA promotion by the HEPs.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was undertaken. Search terms were expanded surrounding three key terms: PA, promotion, and SCI.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles representing 18 unique studies were identified. HEPs predominantly consisted of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and leisure trainers/therapists. Most interventions were delivered by HEPs to persons with SCI in in-patient rehabilitation centres and community-based settings. Tailored exercise programs and on-going counseling support were considered essential for increasing PA behavior. HEPs' common barriers to PA promotion were perceived lack of time, education, and training.

CONCLUSION

A need to improve and sustain SCI-specific PA knowledge and education was identified if PA promotion is to become a structured and integral component of practice. This study provides valuable information for interventions to increase PA behavior among persons with SCI by improving PA promotion by HEPs.

Feasibility of home hand rehabilitation using musicglove after chronic spinal cord injury

Study design

Randomized, controlled single-blind cross over study. This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02473614).

Objectives

Examine usership patterns and feasibility of MusicGlove for at home hand rehabilitation therapy following chronic spinal cord injury.

Setting

Homes of participants.

Methods

Ten participants with chronic spinal cord injury completed two baseline assessments of hand function. After a stable baseline was determined all participants were randomized into two groups: Experimental and Control. Each group was given a recommended therapy dosage. Following this participants switched interventions.

Results

On average participants had higher levels of compliance (6.1 ± 3.5 h.), and completed more grips (15,760 ± 9,590 grips) compared to participants in previous stroke studies using the same device. Participants modulated game parameters in a manner consistent with optimal challenge principles from motor learning theory. Participants in the experimental group increased their prehension ability (1 ± 1.4 MusicGlove, 0.2 ± 0.5 Control) and performance (1.4 ± 2.2 MusicGlove, 0.4 ± 0.55 Control) on the Graded and Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility, and Prehension subtests. Increases in performance on the Box and Blocks Test also favored the experimental group compared to the conventional group at the end of therapy (4.2 ± 5.9, −1.0 ± 3.4 respectively).

Conclusions

MusicGlove is a feasible option for hand therapy in the home-setting for individuals with chronic SCI. Participants completed nearly twice as many gripping movements compared to individuals from the sub-acute and chronic stroke populations, and a number far greater than the number of movements typically achieved during traditional rehabilitation.

Physical activity programs for cardiovascular outcomes in community wheelchair users: A systematic review

Purpose

Physical inactivity is one of the important factors leading to chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with disabilities. However, not many Physical Activity (PA) interventions are available for improving the efficacy of PA and cardiovascular outcomes among community wheelchair users. Therefore, this systematic review will appraise the existing PA interventions for the community dwelling wheelchair users; we especially examined features of the PA programs that showed the improvements in PA and the CVD outcomes compared to the interventions that did not show any improvements in these outcomes among these population. The study also aimed to provide some recommendations for future research.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive and systematic search of literature published between 2015 and 2020 using the databases Scopus, Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL was conducted. This review has followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of the evidence was assessed by Using Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool. Studies that tested the efficacy of PA interventions for community-dwelling adult wheelchair users and published in English were involved. Two reviewers reviewed the literature and any disagreements among these reviewers were resolved by a third reviewer.

Results

Fourteen articles were selected for this review. Most of the studies reported improvements in PA. A few studies followed up the participants and majority of the studies have looked at the CVD outcomes.

Conclusion

Large-scale studies with follow-ups, and community participatory research that evaluates the effect of PA interventions on PA and CVD outcomes among wheelchair users are needed.

From Digital Health to Digital Well-being: Systematic Scoping Review

Background

Digital health refers to the proper use of technology for improving the health and well-being of people and enhancing the care of patients through the intelligent processing of clinical and genetic data. Despite increasing interest in well-being in both health care and technology, there is no clear understanding of what constitutes well-being, which leads to uncertainty in how to create well-being through digital health. In an effort to clarify this uncertainty, Brey developed a framework to define problems in technology for well-being using the following four categories: epistemological problem, scope problem, specification problem, and aggregation problem.

Objective

This systematic scoping review aims to gain insights into how to define and address well-being in digital health.

Methods

We followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist. Papers were identified from 6 databases and included if they addressed the design or evaluation of digital health and reported the enhancement of patient well-being as their purpose. These papers were divided into design and evaluation papers. We studied how the 4 problems in technology for well-being are considered per paper.

Results

A total of 117 studies were eligible for analysis (n=46, 39.3% design papers and n=71, 60.7% evaluation papers). For the epistemological problem, the thematic analysis resulted in various definitions of well-being, which were grouped into the following seven values: healthy body, functional me, healthy mind, happy me, social me, self-managing me, and external conditions. Design papers mostly considered well-being as healthy body and self-managing me, whereas evaluation papers considered the values of healthy mind and happy me. Users were rarely involved in defining well-being. For the scope problem, patients with chronic care needs were commonly considered as the main users. Design papers also regularly involved other users, such as caregivers and relatives. These users were often not involved in evaluation papers. For the specification problem, most design and evaluation papers focused on the provision of care support through a digital platform. Design papers used numerous design methods, whereas evaluation papers mostly considered pre-post measurements and randomized controlled trials. For the aggregation problem, value conflicts were rarely described.

Conclusions

Current practice has found pragmatic ways of circumventing or dealing with the problems of digital health for well-being. Major differences exist between the design and evaluation of digital health, particularly regarding their conceptualization of well-being and the types of users studied. In addition, we found that current methodologies for designing and evaluating digital health can be improved. For optimal digital health for well-being, multidisciplinary collaborations that move beyond the common dichotomy of design and evaluation are needed.

Telerehabilitation Use With Spinal Cord Injury: Occupational Therapists' Perspective

IMPORTANCE

Telerehabilitation provides people with spinal cord injury (SCI) an alternative mode of accessing specialized health care. Further research on occupational therapy practitioners' perspectives of telerehabilitation may provide additional evidence for clinical practice implementation.

OBJECTIVE

To explore urban occupational therapists' perspectives on the benefits of and barriers to telerehabilitation use with SCI.

DESIGN

A qualitative study design using a demographic questionnaire and a single, individual semistructured interview. Thematic analyses included member checking, constant comparative analysis, triangulation, and self-description and self-reflexivity.

SETTING

Residential and community settings.

PARTICIPANTS

Six occupational therapists with a range of experience in SCI rehabilitation were recruited using purposeful sampling.

RESULTS

Six participants were interviewed, and four primary themes emerged: (1) communication, (2) personal factors, (3) benefits, and (4) barriers.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Telerehabilitation offers numerous potential benefits for SCI intervention. This study provides an understanding of practitioner concerns and potential barriers to use. The results indicate that a hybrid model incorporating both in-person and distance-based treatment is likely optimal. What This Article Adds: Our results provide information that addresses practitioner concerns and recommendations for the use of telerehabilitation with people with SCI. As practitioner concerns are identified and addressed, telerehabilitation may increase in the U.S. health care system, potentially facilitating an alternative treatment delivery method for underserved populations.

Physical exercise intervention via telerehabilitation in patients with neurological disorders: a narrative literature review

Background

In recent years, telerehabilitation applications have increased with the rapid development of mobile technology. Remote rehabilitation services have utmost importance in chronic neurological disorders. The aim of this narrative literature review was to discuss the physical exercise interventions via telerehabilitation in patients with neurological disorders. The literature search was conducted via PubMed using the neurological pathology terms in the MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) database. Physical exercise-based studies within the scope of neurological rehabilitation were included in the study. The contents of the studies were discussed with narrative synthesis.

Results

A total of 329 studies were obtained in the initial search. Twelve studies including cases of multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, parkinson's disease, intracranial tumors, spinal-cord injury were interpreted. A vast majority of studies (50%) was conducted with stroke cases. On the other hand, half of the studies addressed the specific results of balance or balance-falling. The results of the studies were discussed comprehensively.

Conclusion

Physical exercise with telerehabilitation provides productive results to improve quality of life, muscle strength-endurance, hand function, balance, aerobic capacity in neurologic rehabilitation.

Barriers and Facilitators to eHealth Technology Use Among Community-Dwelling Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Study

Background

As eHealth technologies become a more prevalent means to access care and self-manage health, it is important to identify the unique facilitators and barriers to their use. Few studies have evaluated the use or potential use of eHealth technologies in spinal cord injury (SCI) populations.

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to explore and identify barriers and facilitators to engagement with eHealth technologies among individuals with SCI.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected via one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 20 community-dwelling participants enrolled in a larger clinical trial. Analysis of the transcripts was undertaken using a four-phase process of content analysis.

Results

Our analysis identified three barriers to engagement with eHealth technologies, including (1) overcoming a digital divide to comprehending and utilizing eHealth technologies, (2) navigating internet resources that provide too much information, and (3) interacting with these technologies despite having limited hand function. Our analysis also identified three facilitators to using eHealth technologies, including (1) having previous successful experiences with eHealth technologies, (2) being able to use voice activation features, and (3) being able to interact in an online community network.

Conclusion

By exploring barriers and facilitators to eHealth technology use, these findings may have a short-term impact on informing researchers and clinicians on important factors affecting engagement of individuals with SCI with telemedicine, mobile, and web applications (apps) and a long-term impact on informing future development of eHealth interventions and tools among chronic disease populations.

Current Approaches in Telehealth and Telerehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injury (TeleSCI)

Purpose of Review

Telehealth and telerehabilitation in spinal cord injury (teleSCI) is a growing field that can improve access to care and improve health outcomes in the spinal cord injury population. This review provides an overview of the recent literature on the topic of teleSCI and provides insights on current evidence, future directions, and considerations when using teleSCI for clinical care.

Recent Findings

TeleSCI is used most often for preventive health; management of chronic pain, anxiety, and depression; and rehabilitation-related interventions. As video telehealth becomes mainstream, growth in wearable monitors, bio and neurofeedback mechanisms, and app-based care is expected.

Summary

TeleSCI is growing in prevalence, demonstrates positive impact on health outcomes, and requires ongoing study to identify, refine, and implement best practices.

Feasibility of an Internet-Based Intervention to Promote Exercise for People With Spinal Cord Injury: Observational Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are less likely to be physically active and have higher chronic disease risk than those in the general population due to physical and metabolic changes that occur postinjury. Few studies have investigated approaches to promote increased physical activity (PA) for people with SCI despite evidence that they face unique barriers, including lack of accessible transportation and exercise equipment. To address these obstacles, we adapted an evidence-based phone-delivered intervention that promoted increased PA among people with SCI into a web-based platform, titled the Workout on Wheels internet intervention (WOWii). The adapted program provides participants with weekly skill-building information and activities, basic exercise equipment, and ongoing support through weekly group videoconferencing.

OBJECTIVE

This pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of using a web-based and virtual format to deliver the WOWii program in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

We assessed the feasibility of the web-based program by delivering an abbreviated, 4-week version to 10 participants with SCI. Rates of weekly videoconference attendance, activity completion, and exercise activity as tracked by an arm-based activity monitor were recorded for all participants.

RESULTS

Participants averaged 3.3 of 4 (83%) weekly group videoconferences attended, 3.4 of 4 (85%) web-based module activities completed, and 2.3 of 4 (58%) weeks of using the arm-based activity monitor. The majority of the sample (9/10, 90%) synced their arm-based PA monitor at least once, and overall engagement as an average of each component across the 4 weeks was 75%.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention had sufficiently high levels of engagement to be used in a full randomized controlled trial to test its effectiveness in improving levels of PA among people with SCI. The knowledge we gained from this pilot study informed improvements that were made in the full randomized controlled trial.

Virtual Care in the Veterans Affairs Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders System of Care During the COVID-19 National Public Health Emergency

Telehealth reduces disparities that result from physical disabilities, difficulties with transportation, geographic barriers, and scarcity of specialists, which are commonly experienced by individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been an international leader in the use of virtual health. The VA's SCI/D System of Care is the nation's largest coordinated system of lifelong care for people with SCI/D and has implemented the use of telehealth to ensure that Veterans with SCI/D have convenient access to their health care, particularly during the restrictions that were imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Substantiating Clinical Effectiveness and Potential Barriers to the Widespread Implementation of Spinal Cord Injury Telerehabilitation: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis of Randomized Trials in the Recent Past Decade

Introduction: Telemedicine across many specialties in clinical practice has been established in the literature regarding technology platforms, privacy issues, cost, and clinical effectiveness. However, the lack of data in these areas applicable to spinal cord injury telerehabilitation (teleSCI) still exists. The gaps in these knowledge areas continue to hinder its widespread implementation and serve as pathways for focused efforts in teleSCI research. Objective: This systematic review aims to substantiate the clinical effectiveness and potential barriers to teleSCI implementation by verifying the statistical significance of various clinical outcomes from randomized trials published within the recent past decade. Methods: A qualitative synthesis of randomized studies, conducted across various regions, was systematically reviewed after identifying relevant records from database search engines. Applied filters in the search included publication dates (2010-2020), humans, full-text, and no language preference. The 13 studies were selected per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram, and the risk of bias across studies was evaluated by using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale of quality assessment. Results: Quantitative outcome measurements demonstrated positive impact across studies: 79.1% (34/43) of all measurements were statistically significant for positive outcomes and 18.6% (8/43) yielded no effect but were significant. Primary outcomes addressed various spinal cord injury (SCI) management areas; 38.5% (5/13) of studies also assessed secondary outcomes. Interventional platforms were conventional technologies used in telemedicine. One study (7.7%) achieved data encryption; no studies presented cost-analysis data. Conclusion: The majority of studies demonstrated significant positive outcomes to validate teleSCI clinical effectiveness through conventional technology. These results further expand our understanding of teleSCI's impact and its demonstrated potential for improving SCI individuals' lives. However, heterogeneity of selected studies limits the conclusive recommendations to address potential barriers to its widespread implementation. Moreover, the development of new data is warranted to promote "buy-in" of widespread teleSCI implementation.

Home-based telerehabilitation software systems for remote supervising: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

In the past decade, with the ever-increasing growth of information and communication technologies, telerehabilitation, especially home-based rehabilitation (HBR), has been widely considered by researchers. Many software systems are developed to address HBR programs, which includes various functionalities. The aim of this study is to review the functional features of these systems designed for remote supervising of HBR programs.

METHODS

Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and ProQuest databases were searched for English-language articles published between January 2008 and February 2018 to retrieve studies reported an home-based telerehabilitation software system aiming to remotely supervise HBR program.

RESULTS

A total of fifty studies that reported twenty-two unique systems met the inclusion criteria. Various functional features were identified including but not limited to exercise plan management, report/statistics generating, patient education, and task scheduling. Disorders or diseases addressed by these systems could mainly be grouped into five categories: musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, and other health-related problems. Usability and acceptability, and clinical/patient outcomes were the most reported outcomes and data analysis was used by the majority of included studies to measure the outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Systems developed for supervising of HBR program are diverse. However, preliminary results of this review revealed that these systems share more or less common functionalities. However, further research is needed to determine the requirements, structure, and effectiveness of these systems in real-life settings.

Website Redesign of a 16-Week Exercise Intervention for People With Spinal Cord Injury by Using Participatory Action Research

Background

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at higher risk for numerous preventable chronic conditions. Physical activity is a protective factor that can reduce this risk, yet those with SCI encounter barriers to activity and are significantly less likely to be active. Limited evidence supports approaches to promote increased physical activity for those with SCI.

Objective

Building upon our previous theory- and evidence-based approach to increase participation in regular physical activity for those with SCI, this study aimed to use a participatory action research approach to translate a theory-based intervention to be delivered via the Web to individuals with SCI.

Methods

A total of 10 individuals with SCI were invited to participate in consumer input meetings to provide the research team with iterative feedback on an initial website designed as a platform for delivering a theory-based exercise intervention.

Results

A total of 7 individuals with SCI whose average age was 43.6 years (SD 13.4) and lived an average age of 12.5 years (SD 14.9) with SCI met on 2 occasions to provide their feedback of the website platform, both on the initial design and subsequently on the revamped site. Their iterative feedback resulted in redesigning the website content, format, and functionality as well as delivery of the intervention program.

Conclusions

The substantially redesigned website offers an easier-to-navigate platform for people with SCI with greater functionality that delivers information using a module format with less text, short video segments, and presents more resources. Preliminary testing of the site is the next step.

Development of a Checklist to Assist Physiotherapists in Determination of Patients' Suitability for a Blended Treatment

Background: The integration of digital applications within health care is called blended care. Introduction: Despite its potential, physiotherapists experience difficulty in determining which patients are suitable for blended care. This study aimed to develop a checklist to support physiotherapists while setting up a blended treatment. Therefore, we aimed to investigate which patient characteristics predict patients' suitability for blended physiotherapy and which patient characteristics need to be taken into account while determining the ratio between therapeutic guidance and a digital application. Methods: A scoping review was conducted consisting of (1) literature search in PubMed and PEDro up to December 2017: studies were eligible if they focused on blended physiotherapy consisting of contact at least twice with a physiotherapist complemented by a digital application, and characteristics related to patients' suitability for blended physiotherapy were extracted and categorized in themes; (2) a checklist item for each theme formulated by the authors, which resulted in a first version of the Dutch Blended Physiotherapy Checklist; and (3) expert opinion and feedback on clinical relevance by six experts. The checklist was adapted accordingly. Results: The final Dutch Blended Physiotherapy Checklist consists of eight items: motivation, safety, equipment, digital skills, health literacy, self-management, time, and financial factors. Discussion: The next step is to investigate the feasibility and predictive validity of the checklist, that is, whether this checklist is actually able to predict patients' suitability for blended physiotherapy. Conclusions: This study provides the final version of the Dutch Blended Physiotherapy Checklist, which is supposed to guide physiotherapists in their clinical reasoning process while setting up a personalized, blended physiotherapy treatment.

Development of a self-guided web-based exercise intervention (SPIN) to treat shoulder pain in people living with spinal cord injury: protocol of a mixed methods study

INTRODUCTION

Chronic shoulder pain is common after spinal cord injury (SCI) and limits community mobility. This leads to loss of independence and reduced quality of life. Evidence suggests that exercises can help reduce shoulder pain. However, cost, expertise and transport barriers frequently limit access to treatment services. The objective of this study is to develop an evidence-based, acceptable, usable and persuasive self-guided web-based exercise intervention to treat shoulder pain in people living with SCI.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

An iterative and phased person-based approach (PBA) will capture users' perspectives on usability and acceptability to develop guiding principles that will shape the design of the intervention. The intervention will be based on key elements identified through participant input and from evidence identified through systematic and narrative reviews, to ensure the intervention addresses participants' needs and increase the likelihood of uptake. The prototype will be iteratively refined through focus groups and think-aloud sessions. Review data will be synthesised drawing on systematic and narrative review conventions. Qualitative data will be analysed using conventional content analysis (planning phase) and directed content analysis (development phase) to inform intervention design and refinement.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been granted by the Auckland University of Technology Ethics Committee (AUTEC) in Auckland, New Zealand. The results of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant national and international conferences. A summary of findings will be presented to key stakeholder groups. We will progress to a definitive trial should the findings from this intervention development study indicate the intervention is acceptable and usable.

Telemedicine using an iPad in the spinal cord injury population: a utility and patient satisfaction study

Study design

Prospective observational.

Objectives

To explore participants' experience, satisfaction, and utility of telemedicine.

Setting

Spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation clinic at a county hospital.

Methods

Participants in this study received telemedicine appointments for routine scheduled care and/or urgent consults with a spinal cord injury specialist via iPad on FaceTime. Demographic changes, health care utilization, and medical complications were assessed. A Program Satisfaction Survey (PSS) was completed after a 6-month enrollment.

Results

Telemedicine visits included general follow-ups (51.25%), "multiple issues" (24.38%), skin (6.88%), bowel and bladder (5.63%), spasms (3.13%), and pain (3.13%). The PSS was collected (n = 45) and revealed positive results in perceived health, satisfaction with equipment/ease of use, and satisfaction with the program. Analysis of anecdotal comments revealed themes such as efficiency, convenience, and reduced barriers provided by telemedicine visits.

Conclusions

This study shows the feasibility and acceptance of a telemedicine intervention via iPad for individuals with SCI through positive PSS ratings and the wide variety of clinical topics addressed.

Sponsorship

Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.

Demographics and rates of surgical arthroscopy and postoperative rehabilitative preferences of arthroscopists from the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)

Survey of 869 arthroscopists regarding joint-specific arthroscopic procedures and postoperative rehabilitative preferences revealed comparable support for use of supervised physical therapy (SPT) and home exercise programs (HEPs) but stronger preference for joint-specific HEP applications (wrist, knee). Among respondents utilizing HEPs, modality of delivery (verbal/handout/web-based) didn't differ by joint, yet only 2.9% utilized web-based HEPs. This is the first known study to identify postoperative rehabilitation preferences. With 1.77 million estimated arthroscopic procedures annually (mean: 325.4 procedures/respondent), this study highlights under-utilization of web-based HEPs. Reliable, web-based HEPs can improve post-arthroscopic outcomes for patients, arthroscopic surgeons, and rehabilitative specialists while being cost efficient.

Web-based physiotherapy for people with axial spondyloarthritis (WEBPASS) - a study protocol

Background

Evidence suggests people with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) should exercise up to five times per week but lack of time, symptoms, cost and distance are barriers to regular exercise in axial SpA. Personalised exercise programmes delivered via the internet might support people with axial SpA to reach these exercise targets. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of, and adherence to, a 12 month personalised web-based physiotherapy programme for people with axial SpA.

Methods

Fifty people with axial SpA will be recruited to this prospective, interventional cohort study. Each participant will be assessed by a physiotherapist and an individualised exercise programme set up on www.webbasedphysio.com. Participants will be asked to complete their programme five times per week for 12 months. With the exception of adherence, data will be collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

Discussion

The primary outcome measure is adherence to the exercise programme over each four week cycle (20 sessions maximum per cycle) and over the 12 months. Secondary measures include function (BASFI), disease activity (BASDAI), work impairment (WPAI:SpA), quality of life (ASQoL, EQ5D), attitude to exercise (EMI-2, EAQ), spinal mobility (BASMI), physical activity and the six minute walk test. Participants will also be interviewed to explore their adherence, or otherwise, to the intervention.

This study will determine the adherence and key clinical outcomes of a targeted web-based physiotherapy programme for axial SpA. This data will inform clinical practice and the development and implementation of similar programmes.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02666313, 20th January 2016