Telerehabilitation: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and future perspectives

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an enormous effect on healthcare, notably rehabilitation for neurological, rheumatological, musculoskeletal, and cognitive diseases. Telerehabilitation provides rehabilitation services via multiple modalities,  such as real-time chats, computerized consultations, and distant evaluations, emphasizing assessment, diagnosis, and intervention. While the use of telerehabilitation had restrictions before COVID-19, regulatory changes have accelerated its adoption, broadening therapy provision beyond tradition al healthcare settings. Telerehabilitation has been examined for its effectiveness in a variety of health concerns, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and rheumatic diseases. Despite the constraints of the COVID-19 environment, telerehabilitatio n settings, which include patient and therapist aspects, have emerged to ensure optimal treatment delivery. Key themes include home-based rehabilitation initiatives, wearable gadgets, and the integration of analytics and artificial intelligence. The growing acceptance of telehealth and telerehabilit ation is expected to drive further progress in this discipline.
Source: Rheumatology International - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research