Beyond the Clinic: How Telerehabilitation is Changing Physiotherapy—Insights from JOSPT’s Latest Study

Today, we’re excited to share a podcast that resonated deeply with us, discussing the opportunities and challenges of telerehabilitation, also known as online physiotherapy. This insightful discussion centres on the recent study "Understanding Negative and Positive Feelings About Telerehabilitation in People With Chronic Knee Pain: A Mixed-Methods Study" published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT) in 2024.

For those unfamiliar, JOSPT is a highly respected journal that advances musculoskeletal health through research and clinical insights. It’s a valuable resource for physiotherapists, researchers, and anyone interested in orthopaedic and sports physical therapy.

Study Summary:

Exploring Patient Perspectives on Telerehabilitation

This study focused on how people with knee osteoarthritis initially responded to telerehabilitation, whether it met their expectations, and if they’d choose it in the future. Though centred on knee osteoarthritis, the benefits highlighted in the study reflect the potential of telerehabilitation to serve a broader range of conditions and patient needs.

Key Findings:

• Objective:

  To understand initial reactions to telerehabilitation and how participants’ experiences aligned with their expectations.

  
  

• Method:

  122 participants with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to receive telerehabilitation as part of a clinical trial. They later shared their thoughts on the experience and their willingness to use it in the future.

  
  

• Initial Reactions:

  Of the participants, 49% felt positive about telerehabilitation from the outset, while 36% expressed doubts, often due to concerns about effectiveness, lack of in-person contact, or technical issues.

  
  

• Experience:

  After completing the program, 72% of those who started positively and 61% who were initially sceptical felt telerehabilitation exceeded their expectations. Many noted its convenience, flexibility, ease of access, and the strong connection they built with their therapist.

  
  

• Conclusion:

  Half of the participants welcomed telerehabilitation from the beginning, and most who were initially sceptical found value in it. Though 25% preferred in-person sessions, the majority appreciated telerehabilitation’s flexibility and effectiveness.

  
  

This podcast and study offer valuable insights for anyone curious about online physiotherapy potential and effectiveness across a variety of conditions. Listen in to learn more about the evolution of telerehabilitation and how it’s transforming patient care.