Digital Physiotherapy: From Solutions to Practice

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) has pointed out the disparity in access to rehabilitation practitioners, especially in low and middle-income countries, where the availability of such professionals is alarmingly low. In fact, the WHO estimates that there are fewer than ten skilled rehabilitation practitioners per one million people in these regions. Shockingly, only between 5% and 15% of those in need of rehabilitation actually receive the essential assistive care they require. This unmet need for rehabilitation has profound repercussions, leading to significant activity limitations, participation restrictions, and ultimately contributing to poorer health and quality of life (World Health Organization, 2017).

Studies, such as (Bath, et al., 2016), have shown the barriers to access to physiotherapy services. They found that nearly 28% of participants reported reduced perceived access to physiotherapy. The causes of reduced access were multifaceted, with 13.5% attributing to its cost, 9.9% to wait times, and 10.8% to geographical location. A range of socio-demographic and clinical factors, including the presence of other health conditions, living in rural areas, and a lack of physiotherapy services, were identified as associated factors leading to reduced access to these services.

The integration of digital technologies into physiotherapy may have an important role to improve physiotherapy process and access. In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the field of physiotherapy has not been left behind. Innovative concepts, such as Digital Health, Telerehabilitation, Telemonitoring, and Digital Gamification, have emerged, giving birth to the realm of Digital Physiotherapy. These concepts are rapidly gaining clinical relevance in the healthcare industry as they hold the potential to address the pressing challenges in physiotherapy and offer promising solutions to improve patient care and optimize health outcomes. Digital Health has opened new possibilities in physiotherapy with several digital tools and applications. Mobile apps and other wearable devices enable patients to track their progress, monitor vital signs, and engage in personalised exercise programs. These technologies empower patients to take an active role in their rehabilitation, promoting motivation, adherence, and self-management (Ronquillo, Meyers, & Korvek, 2023).

Digital technologies also have revolutionized the way physiotherapy services are delivered. For example, through telehealth, patients can receive remote consultations and treatment sessions through video conferencing, reducing the need for in-person visits. This not only enhances convenience, accessibility and costs for patients, especially those in remote areas or with mobility limitations, and simultaneous allowing continuous monitoring and timely interventions (Gogia, 2020), (Institute of Medicine Commitee on Evaluating Clinical Applications of Telemedicine, 1996), (World Confederation for Physical Therapy, International Network of Physiotherapy Regulatory Authorities, 2020).

Telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising approach to deliver physiotherapy interventions remotely. Through video-based platforms, physiotherapists can guide and supervise patients in performing exercises and rehabilitation activities in the comfort of their homes. Real-time feedback and monitoring may ensure that patients perform therapeutic exercises correctly improving treatment effectiveness (Alexander, 2021).

Moreover, telemonitoring enables physiotherapists to remotely collect and analyse patient data, including movement patterns, range of motion, and functional abilities. This continuous monitoring allows the early detection of potential biomechanical and functional changes allowing personalised treatment adjustments. By harnessing the power of data analytics and artificial intelligence, physiotherapists can make more informed clinical decisions and tailor treatment plans to individual needs (Bardy, 2019).

Digital Physiotherapy incorporates the integration of digital technologies into traditional physiotherapy practices. This may include the use of virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive software applications to enhance therapeutic exercises, facilitate motor relearning, and improve patient engagement. These immersive and interactive experiences can motivate patients, simulate real-life scenarios, and accelerate the recovery process (World Confederation for Physical Therapy, International Network of Physiotherapy Regulatory Authorities, 2020).