Wakasa M1, Saito A1, Kimoto M1, Odashima T2, Saito I2, Handa S2, Syukunobe K2, Kume Y3, Okada K1
1Akita University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, Akita, Japan, 2Ugo Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation, Ugo, Japan, 3Akita University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy, Akita, Japan
Background: In Japan the population aging rate has been gradually increasing. The aging rate of individuals 65 years and older was 27.7% in 2017. The aging rate of those 65 and older will reach 39.9%, 1 in 2.5 persons, in 2060. The prefecture of Akita is the leading aging population in Japan. The aging rate of those 65 and older in Akita was 34.6% in 2016 and estimated to be 41% in 2035. Because of the increasing aging rate of those becoming 65 years and older improving and maintaining the quality of life is a concern. The advancements in computer software including the areas of information and communication technology, has allowed healthcare professionals to deliver professional services without the limitation of distance. Both this geographical isolation and lack of local professional resources is resolved by the access to the Internet.
Purpose: The aim of this trial study was to introduce a mobile telerehabilitation system specifically using the tablet computer.
Methods: There were 9 participants who were living in Ugo town in this trial study. The distance between the lab located in Akita University in the community center located in Ugo is approximately 90 km. The Web conferencing system Live On was used. This system features unique online real-time videoconferencing capabilities. We used i-Pad air 2 for shooting a video and receiving video. The mobile router was WiMAX2＋. The video and audio data were encrypted and transmitted over a high-speed, 148Kbps, mobile Internet connection that allowed for real-time interactions between the participants and health professionals. A physical therapist performed exercises in front of camera. Participants performed exercises in front of the tablet while watching the demonstrated exercises on the screen at the community center. The physical therapist and participants were able to see each other via the digital projector's in their respective locations. The participants were evaluated for motor function, such as lower extremity strength (LES), timed up and go test (TUG), and Berg balance test (BBS). We also surveyed the 36-Item short form survey for health status (SF36). Furthermore, we conducted a questionnaire about motivation for attending the program.
Results: There was significant differences between the data of pre-test (5.15±0.42) and post-test (4.74±0.44) after exercise in TUG (p .0001). For the SF36, according to the matched pair test of Wilcoxon, all scores of the SF-36 did not have a significant difference between pre- and post-test (p > 0.05) .None of participants was absent telerehabilitation class during the study and most of participants are satisfied with telerehabilitation.
Conclusion(s): This type of telerehabilitation provides an alternative option of delivering physical exercise and supervision especially those who have geographical restrictions, financial burdens, and limited local professional resources.
Implications: If participant learn the exercise program effectively through the tlerehabilitation system by using i-Pad will be as equally effective as face to face exercise program, telerehabilitation system may also be recommended for any rural area, due to its less time consuming, low cost and effectiveness.
Keywords: telerehabilitation, mobile tablet, exercise
Funding acknowledgements: There is no funding in this study.
Purpose: The aim of this trial study was to introduce a mobile telerehabilitation system specifically using the tablet computer.
Methods: There were 9 participants who were living in Ugo town in this trial study. The distance between the lab located in Akita University in the community center located in Ugo is approximately 90 km. The Web conferencing system Live On was used. This system features unique online real-time videoconferencing capabilities. We used i-Pad air 2 for shooting a video and receiving video. The mobile router was WiMAX2＋. The video and audio data were encrypted and transmitted over a high-speed, 148Kbps, mobile Internet connection that allowed for real-time interactions between the participants and health professionals. A physical therapist performed exercises in front of camera. Participants performed exercises in front of the tablet while watching the demonstrated exercises on the screen at the community center. The physical therapist and participants were able to see each other via the digital projector's in their respective locations. The participants were evaluated for motor function, such as lower extremity strength (LES), timed up and go test (TUG), and Berg balance test (BBS). We also surveyed the 36-Item short form survey for health status (SF36). Furthermore, we conducted a questionnaire about motivation for attending the program.
Results: There was significant differences between the data of pre-test (5.15±0.42) and post-test (4.74±0.44) after exercise in TUG (p .0001). For the SF36, according to the matched pair test of Wilcoxon, all scores of the SF-36 did not have a significant difference between pre- and post-test (p > 0.05) .None of participants was absent telerehabilitation class during the study and most of participants are satisfied with telerehabilitation.
Conclusion(s): This type of telerehabilitation provides an alternative option of delivering physical exercise and supervision especially those who have geographical restrictions, financial burdens, and limited local professional resources.
Implications: If participant learn the exercise program effectively through the tlerehabilitation system by using i-Pad will be as equally effective as face to face exercise program, telerehabilitation system may also be recommended for any rural area, due to its less time consuming, low cost and effectiveness.
Keywords: telerehabilitation, mobile tablet, exercise
Funding acknowledgements: There is no funding in this study.
Topic: Information management, technology & big data; Older people
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Akita University Graduate School of Medicine.
Ethics committee: Akita University Graduate School of Medicine.
Ethics number: 1393
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
