Open AccessThe Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions Supported by Telerehabilitation For Recently Hospitalized Adult Medical Patients: A Systematic Review
Author(s) -
S.C. Leslie,
Junbo Tan,
Prue McRae,
Shaun O’Leary,
Julie Adsett
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of telerehabilitation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.273
H-Index - 3
ISSN - 1945-2020
DOI - 10.5195/ijt.2021.6356
Subject(s) - telerehabilitation , medicine , psychological intervention , physical therapy , attendance , checklist , telemedicine , medline , intervention (counseling) , quality of life (healthcare) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , health care , psychology , nursing , political science , law , economics , cognitive psychology , economic growth
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions delivered via telerehabilitation (via videoconference) for recently hospitalized adult medical patients. Data sources: A search was undertaken across six databases for English language publications from inception to May 2020. Methods: Studies were selected if they included an exercise intervention for recently hospitalized adults, delivered by a physiotherapist via videoconference. Two reviewers independently screened 1,122 articles (21 full text screening) and assessed methodological quality using the Downs and Black Checklist. A narrative synthesis of the included studies was undertaken. Results: Three studies met eligibility criteria involving 201 participants with chronic heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Findings demonstrated limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of exercise delivered via telerehabilitation in improving physical function and patient reported quality of life outcomes in recently hospitalized medical patients. Telerehabilitation in this setting was also associated with high attendance rates and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary support for the benefits of exercise interventions delivered via telerehabilitation for recently hospitalized medical patients. Results do need to be interpreted with caution as further high-quality studies specific to this method of exercise intervention delivery are needed.