Combined Treatment of Face-to-Face Physical Therapy and Telerehabilitation in Workers with Whiplash Syndrome.
Telemed J E Health
; 2024 Sep 23.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39308422
ABSTRACT
Objective:
Interventions through telerehabilitation have shown positive effects in various clinical conditions, facilitating the return to work of the working population. This study aimed to compare conventional, center-based physiotherapy versus an intervention combining home- and center-based treatment for whiplash syndrome in workers enrolled in a mutual insurance company, evaluating differences in the number of face-to-face sessions and the duration of sickness absence. The secondary aim was to assess the acceptability and usability of the telerehabilitation intervention.Methods:
The study population (n = 387) comprised workers aged 16 to 65 years who required physiotherapy due to whiplash (ICD-9 847.0). The main outcome variable was the number of face-to-face sessions. The duration of sickness absence was also calculated. A survey was also conducted to determine patient acceptance and usability of the platform. The analyses were adjusted for sex, age, occupation, and the center where the physiotherapy treatment was administered.Results:
The number of face-to-face physiotherapy sessions dropped significantly, from 9 to 7, due to the implementation of telerehabilitation. This decrease was not associated with a longer duration of sickness absence. The difference in the median duration of sickness absence between patients who had not undergone telerehabilitation and those who had undergone telerehabilitation was -1 [95% CI= (-6 to 2)].Conclusion:
Telerehabilitation reduces the number of face-to-face physiotherapy sessions needed, which can reduce the care burden in physiotherapy centers and avoid the need for patients to travel (with a corresponding reduction in transportation costs), without increasing the duration of sickness absence.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Telemed J E Health
Journal subject:
INFORMATICA MEDICA
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: