Rehabilitation Technologies for Chronic Conditions: Will We Sink or Swim?
Introduction: Chronic conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, vestibular disorders, chronic pain, arthritis, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease are leading causes of disability among middle-aged and older adults....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/20/2751 |
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| author | Amber LaMarca Ivy Tse Julie Keysor |
| author_facet | Amber LaMarca Ivy Tse Julie Keysor |
| author_sort | Amber LaMarca |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Chronic conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, vestibular disorders, chronic pain, arthritis, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease are leading causes of disability among middle-aged and older adults. While evidence-based treatment can optimize clinical outcomes, few people with chronic conditions engage in the recommended levels of exercise for clinical improvement and successful management of their condition. Rehabilitation technologies that can augment therapeutic care—i.e., exoskeletons, virtual/augmented reality, and remote monitoring—offer the opportunity to bring evidence-based rehabilitation into homes. Successful integration of rehabilitation techniques at home could help recovery and access and foster long term self-management. However, widespread uptake of technology in rehabilitation is still limited, leaving many technologies developed but not adopted. Methods: In this narrative review, clinical need, efficacy, and obstacles and suggestions for implementation are discussed. The use of three technologies is reviewed in the management of the most prevalent chronic diseases that utilize rehabilitation services, including common neurological, musculoskeletal, metabolic, pulmonary, and cardiac conditions. The technologies are (i) exoskeletons, (ii) virtual and augmented reality, and (iii) remote monitoring. Results: Effectiveness evidence backing the use of technology in rehabilitation is growing but remains limited by high heterogeneity, lack of long-term outcomes, and lack of adoption outcomes. Conclusion: While rehabilitation technologies bring opportunities to bridge the gap between clinics and homes, there are many challenges with adoption. Hybrid effectiveness and implementation trials are a possible path to successful technology development and adoption. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:13:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a94b3d8661064aa6805c45ba5f33a8a2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:13:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-a94b3d8661064aa6805c45ba5f33a8a22023-11-19T16:37:37ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322023-10-011120275110.3390/healthcare11202751Rehabilitation Technologies for Chronic Conditions: Will We Sink or Swim?Amber LaMarca0Ivy Tse1Julie Keysor2Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA 02129, USADoctor of Physical Therapy Program, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA 02129, USASchool of Health Care Leadership, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA 02129, USAIntroduction: Chronic conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, vestibular disorders, chronic pain, arthritis, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease are leading causes of disability among middle-aged and older adults. While evidence-based treatment can optimize clinical outcomes, few people with chronic conditions engage in the recommended levels of exercise for clinical improvement and successful management of their condition. Rehabilitation technologies that can augment therapeutic care—i.e., exoskeletons, virtual/augmented reality, and remote monitoring—offer the opportunity to bring evidence-based rehabilitation into homes. Successful integration of rehabilitation techniques at home could help recovery and access and foster long term self-management. However, widespread uptake of technology in rehabilitation is still limited, leaving many technologies developed but not adopted. Methods: In this narrative review, clinical need, efficacy, and obstacles and suggestions for implementation are discussed. The use of three technologies is reviewed in the management of the most prevalent chronic diseases that utilize rehabilitation services, including common neurological, musculoskeletal, metabolic, pulmonary, and cardiac conditions. The technologies are (i) exoskeletons, (ii) virtual and augmented reality, and (iii) remote monitoring. Results: Effectiveness evidence backing the use of technology in rehabilitation is growing but remains limited by high heterogeneity, lack of long-term outcomes, and lack of adoption outcomes. Conclusion: While rehabilitation technologies bring opportunities to bridge the gap between clinics and homes, there are many challenges with adoption. Hybrid effectiveness and implementation trials are a possible path to successful technology development and adoption.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/20/2751rehabilitation technologyexoskeletonsvirtual realityaugmentative realitymHealthremote monitoring |
| spellingShingle | Amber LaMarca Ivy Tse Julie Keysor Rehabilitation Technologies for Chronic Conditions: Will We Sink or Swim? Healthcare rehabilitation technology exoskeletons virtual reality augmentative reality mHealth remote monitoring |
| title | Rehabilitation Technologies for Chronic Conditions: Will We Sink or Swim? |
| title_full | Rehabilitation Technologies for Chronic Conditions: Will We Sink or Swim? |
| title_fullStr | Rehabilitation Technologies for Chronic Conditions: Will We Sink or Swim? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rehabilitation Technologies for Chronic Conditions: Will We Sink or Swim? |
| title_short | Rehabilitation Technologies for Chronic Conditions: Will We Sink or Swim? |
| title_sort | rehabilitation technologies for chronic conditions will we sink or swim |
| topic | rehabilitation technology exoskeletons virtual reality augmentative reality mHealth remote monitoring |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/20/2751 |
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