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- Title
(REH06) Feasibility of Telehealth Rehabilitation for Veterans with Progressive Neuromuscular Disease.
- Authors
Dons, Benjamin
- Abstract
Background: Individuals who live in rural communities have difficulty accessing specialized medical services such as physical therapy. Individuals with progressive neurologic diseases who do have access to physical therapy are limited to what is available in their community. Exercise is feasible and can improve fitness and improve quality of life for individuals with progressive neurologic disease. Clinical video telehealth (CVT) provides these veterans with access to specialists for their condition and significantly reduces the energy and financial costs of traveling to specific appointments. Barriers exist whether an individual lives in a rural community or within a few miles of a health center. Utilizing CVT can eliminate these barriers and greatly improve adherence to a physical therapy rehabilitation program. Finally, the ability to view an individual in their home environment gives providers the ability to problem solve physical challenges and safety issues that may be present in a person's home. Objectives: 1) Extend specialty care from Neurology into Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for Veterans with MS. 2) Determine the feasibility of the CVT devices in a variety of settings. 3) Decrease travel hours and costs. 4) Minimize caregiver time, burden, and other costs. Methods: There were 19 veterans evaluated during the study period, 18 of whom were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 1 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Veterans were referred to PM&R physical therapy and evaluated by neurologic clinical specialist. They were evaluated before and after the intervention period using standardized functional outcome measures. Follow-up visits were scheduled at least once every week for 30-minute sessions and were re-evaluated every 30 days for up to 90 days. Veterans had the opportunity to extend their rehabilitation session for another 90 days if they were making improvements. Sessions took place with the clinical specialist in a private office with necessary rehabilitation equipment available for demonstration of exercises. Results: N = 18, 18 had preintervention assessments, and 10 patients agreed to participate. Four patients had a discharge visit where postintervention measures were collected. Total visits: 63. Travel miles saved: 6770 miles. Travel dollars saved: $3724. Conclusions: Telehealth visits for patients with progressive neuromuscular disease such as MS and ALS can be effective and feasible in an outpatient setting. There were no adverse effects, and this program resulted in a significant reduction in miles traveled and cost savings for veterans and the Veteran Health Administration. Barriers to adopting new technology were an issue for some veterans, and greater improvements were seen with those who incorporated new technology easily.
- Subjects
CONFERENCES &; conventions; VETERANS; NEUROMUSCULAR diseases; REHABILITATION; TELEMEDICINE; MEDICAL care of veterans
- Publication
International Journal of MS Care, 2020, Vol 22, Issue S2, p70
- ISSN
1537-2073
- Publication type
Article