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- Title
(REH11) Telerehabilitation Compared to Outpatient Rehabilitation for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Mobility Disorders.
- Authors
Barksdale, Heather; McHugh, Brittany; Hodges, Wayne; Peters, Jessica; Hoffman, Paul M.
- Abstract
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifocal disease of the central nervous system, often producing variable and longstanding symptoms that may lead to loss of function and disability. Access to specialized rehabilitation specialists may be limited by loss of mobility and distance from rural areas to outpatient rehabilitation centers. This pilot study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of conducting a physical therapy--guided telerehabilitation (TR) program for individuals with mobility deficits resulting from MS. Data on mobility, quality of life (QOL), fatigue, and travel cost were examined. The TR group was then compared retrospectively to an outpatient-based therapy (OP) group to review effect on mobility scores. Objectives: 1) Determine if a TR program prescribed and monitored by an MS-certified physical therapist (PT), delivered on a home, web-based platform is a feasible delivery technique for individuals with MS. 2) Identify if a TR program can improve access to a component of comprehensive MS care while reducing travel cost. 3) Examine changes to mobility scores for a TR program compared with an OP program to compare the effects of the 2 delivery options for individuals with MS. Methods: Subjects with confirmed MS and mobility deficits were recruited from the MS Center of Excellence at UF Health Jacksonville for the TR group. Initial and final face-to-face examinations were performed by a board-certified neurologist and an MS specialist PT. Subjects underwent 8 weeks of physical therapy--guided TR using the Jintronix software platform and a kinetic tracking system. Subjects seen in OP by the same PTs performing the TR were selected by a chart review process from January 2018 through September 2019 with a diagnosis of MS (identified by a search of the practice's electronic database of the ICD 10 code G35). Subjects were selected for comparison based on duration of treatment and matching outcome measures completed. Data were then reviewed for effect on mobility and travel between the 2 groups. Results: Eight participants completed the TR program. All TR subjects demonstrated improvement in either fatigue, QOL, or mobility measures. No adverse events were noted during or following completion of the program. The 8 subjects saved a combined $8487.23 in projected travel costs. Results of measures between groups showed equivalence in terms of meeting minimal detectable change for the outcome measures examined. Conclusions: The eight-week TH program was feasible and safe for subjects with MS and mobility impairments. Compared to the OP group, the TH group demonstrated the same number of subjects meeting the minimal detectable change for the functional measures. Savings were superior in the TR group for travel cost and time. Further studies are needed to guide the design and establish the efficacy of TR compared with OP rehabilitation programs.
- Subjects
CONFERENCES &; conventions; OUTPATIENT services in hospitals; MOVEMENT disorders; MULTIPLE sclerosis; REHABILITATION; TELEMEDICINE
- Publication
International Journal of MS Care, 2020, Vol 22, Issue S2, p72
- ISSN
1537-2073
- Publication type
Article