Proposal and Evaluation of a Telerehabilitation Platform Designed for Patients With Partial Rotator Cuff Tears: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo propose and evaluate the effectiveness of a telerehabilitation platform designed for patients with rotator cuff (RC) tears.MethodsDuring the first study phase, a virtual service platform that included information on RC tear pathology, joint care, and a series of instructions regarding therapeutic exercise was designed and created. Subsequently, in the clinical phase, a quasi-experimental study was performed. The platform was tested on patients and evaluated at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months with respect to their pain levels and functionality on the Constant-Murley (CM) scale.ResultsEleven patients were included, 5 women and 6 men, with a median age of 55 years (range, 42–68 years). Pain diminished from a baseline value of 64 mm (range, 40–80 mm) to 16 mm (range, 0–30 mm) at 6 months (p<0.001). Points on the CM scale rose from a baseline value of 54 points (range, 51–66 points) to 85 points (range, 70–100 points) at 6 months (p=0.001). Functionality in daily living and work activities, movement, and strength exhibited significant changes at 6 months (p<0.05).ConclusionSignificant changes were observed in pain and functionality in this group of participants who used a telerehabilitation platform. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that included a specific program for RC tears.

Telehealth applications for outpatients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders

“…Physical therapy by means of telehealth has been shown to be a viable option for improving knee osteoarthritis symptoms and leg strength . Telehealth has also been investigated by means of a pilot study for physical therapy for partial rotator cuff injury . Other studies have looked at telehealth in follow‐up after joint arthroplasty and following fractures and found that overall home telehealth is at least as effective as usual care .…”

“…58 Telehealth has also been investigated by means of a pilot study for physical therapy for partial rotator cuff injury. 64 Other studies have looked at telehealth in follow-up after joint arthroplasty and following fractures [65][66][67][68][69][70][71] and found that overall home telehealth is at least as effective as usual care. 69 A systematic review of telehealth for physiotherapy after orthopedic surgery found "strong evidence in favor of telehealth in patients following total knee and hip arthroplasty."…”

Telehealth in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review

“…In sports medicine, telehealth can be effective for management of musculoskeletal conditions including physical therapy and review of diagnostic imaging studies. Telehealth has been used for delivery of physical therapy services with a recent pilot study assessing telehealth services for rotator cuff injury [62]. Diagnostic imaging review between provider and patient of previous physical examination findings can be readily conducted via telehealth.…”

Development and implementation of technologies for physical telerehabilitation in Latin America:

“…Such platform is an interactive environment that provides patients with access to a set of rehabilitation resources, such as education on the pathology, injury care, joint hygiene, activity modification and therapeutic exercises. This platform is currently undergoing clinical trials [74]. Finally, we found some news about the implementation of VirtualRehab, a commercial Ki-nect®-based platform for physical therapy supported by exergames.…”