Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheung TW(1), Tang WS(1), Cheung SH(1), Suen CH(1), Yeung KH(1), Chan CY(1), Leung YH(1), LI LV (1)
Affiliation :
(1)Physiotherapy Department, Yan Chai Hospital
Introduction :
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the major causes of disability in older individuals. The 4-year Structured Non-Surgical Treatment Program (SNTP) includes 6 sessions in the first year and 6 booster sessions every half year after. Graded exercise, patient empowerment and pain coping strategy are included to decrease pain, disability and improve function and quality of life. However, there was an inevitable service adjustment under the COVID-19 pandemic and patients’ exercise opportunities might be affected due to physical distancing and safety reasons. Therefore, hybrid mode combining tele-rehabilitation and face-to-face sessions was implemented.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness of hybrid mode for people with knee osteoarthritis in terms of lower limb strength, endurance, self-efficacy for exercise and patient satisfaction.
Methodology :
Besides face-to-face sessions, tele-rehabilitation sessions were conducted monthly using Zoom in February to November 2022 and patients could join on a voluntary basis. Knee mobilisation, stretching and strengthening exercises were included with real-time monitoring by physiotherapists. Lower limb strength and endurance were measured by 30 Seconds Sit to Stand Test (30sSTS). Self-efficacy for exercise was measured by Chinese version of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise (C-SEE). Patient satisfaction was measured by a questionnaire. Statistical Analysis were conducted using SPSS. Non-parametric analysis was used as the data were not normally distributed.
Result & Outcome :
Sixty-six patients joined the tele-rehabilitation and another 66 patients were selected as control group by convenience sampling. Baseline characteristics were similar among the two groups. Lower limb strength and endurance (30sSTS) increased significantly from 7.6 to 10.0 (p< 0.001) in the tele-rehabilitation group and from 7.5 to 8.7 (p< 0.001) in the control group. Self-efficacy for exercise (C-SEE) increased significantly from 4.7 to 5.8 (p< 0.01) in the tele-rehabilitation group and from 4.0 to 4.8 (p< 0.05) in the control group. Compared with control group, tele-rehabilitation group had significantly higher 30sSTS (p< 0.05) and C-SEE (p< 0.05) indicating potential additional benefits. According to the questionnaire, 87.8% patients expressed no difficulty in tele-rehabilitation operation and 98.8% agreed tele-rehabilitation enabled them to consolidate what they have learnt. Some patients reflected that tele-rehabilitation was more time-saving and safer under the pandemic. To conclude, tele-rehabilitation may act as an alternative to provide additional benefits to people with knee osteoarthritis, potentially enhance the physiotherapy effect.
