PTOTNarrative ReviewArchives of physiotherapy2023

The state of the art in telerehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions.

Marina P Baroni, Maria Fernanda A Jacob, Wesley R Rios and 5 others

PMID 36597130

WHAT IT FOUND

Telerehabilitation matches face-to-face care for pain and function in musculoskeletal conditions.

Prioritize patient preference and digital literacy. Use hybrid models for complex cases or when hands-on skills are needed. Ensure safety, privacy, and clear communication to maintain therapeutic alliance.

Key findings

01Telerehabilitation is similar to face-to-face interventions in reducing pain and improving function for musculoskeletal disorders.

02Patient satisfaction with telerehabilitation is high, with no difference compared to in-person care, especially when synchronous contact is used.

03Hybrid models combining in-person and remote care are recommended for complex patients or when hands-on assessment/treatment is required.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs

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What it does not show

This is a narrative review, not a systematic review, so evidence synthesis may lack comprehensive search rigor. Cost-effectiveness data is scarce and mixed. Most evidence comes from high-income countries; generalizability to low-resource settings is limited. Standardization of terminology and assessment protocols is lacking.

Declared interests

No specific funding or conflict of interest declarations are provided in the text.

The easy way to misread this

Do not assume all musculoskeletal conditions are suitable for remote care. Complex patients or those requiring hands-on assessment or manual therapy often need in-person or hybrid models. Ensure patient digital literacy and privacy before proceeding.

Read it on PubMed →