Demographic changes associated with an expanding and aging population will lead to an increasing number of orthopedic surgeries, such as joint replacements. To support patients’ home exercise programs after total hip replacement and completing subsequent inpatient rehabilitation, a low-cost, smartphone-based augmented reality training game (TG) was developed. To evaluate its motion detection accuracy, data from 30 healthy participants were recorded while using the TG. A 3D motion analysis system served as reference. The TG showed differences of 18.03 mm to 24.98 mm along the anatomical axes. Surveying the main movement direction of the implemented exercises (squats, step-ups, side-steps), differences between 10.13 mm to 24.59 mm were measured. In summary, the accuracy of the TG’s motion detection is sufficient for use in exergames and to quantify progress in patients’ performance. Considering the findings of this study, the presented exer-game approach has potential as a low-cost, easily accessible support for patients in their home exercise program.

Background New technologies, for example, telerehabilitation (TR) tools, can support physiotherapists’ work. Even though studies have demonstrated their potential, TR is not yet fully implemented in Austrian outpatient physiotherapy. As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and the associated lockdowns, physiotherapists in Austria were confronted with the challenge of offering therapies without physical contact. This study aims to investigate opinions and experiences of physiotherapists in Austria regarding TR and its implementation in different clinical fields. Methods A qualitative research design with expert interviews and a focus group discussion were conducted. Data were analysed using content analysis. The categories were formed following a deductive-inductive approach. Results The interview partners considered opportunities for using synchronous TR in internal medicine as well as orthopaedics and traumatology, especially in later, exercise-dominated stages. In addition, using TR can be supportive for patient education. In the field of neurology, synchronous TR is viewed with some criticism, especially when used for people with severe neuropsychological disorders. Asynchronous TR is considered useful across all disciplines and could support physical therapy from the first therapy session and throughout the treatment. Important questions regarding liability, billing, or data protection still need to be clarified. Interdisciplinary approaches in TR should also be pursued to improve care. Conclusion The use of asynchronous TR in addition to regular physiotherapy is seen as promising in all clinical fields. In general, when implementing TR, the needs and requirements of different fields should be considered. Moreover, various framework conditions still need to be clarified for further implementation of TR.