The Experts below are selected from a list of 3588 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Trevor Russell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Telerehabilitation Feasibility in Total Joint Replacement.
International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 2017Co-Authors: Mark J. Nelson, Kay M. Crossley, Michael G. Bourke, Trevor RussellAbstract:Despite documented benefits, many Total Joint Replacement (TJR) patients find it difficult to access rehabilitation following discharge from hospital. One solution to improve access for TJR patients is Telerehabilitation. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of introducing a Telerehabilitation program for TJR patients. TJR patients at QEII Jubilee Hospital were invited to complete a questionnaire regarding their access, feelings towards and preferences in using technology. Seventy-five patients were recruited. Most patients had computer access (72%) and internet (69%) at home. Sixty-five percent of participants were willing to participate in Telerehabilitation. A significant difference was found between older and younger patients. Watching videos on an electronic device was the preferred method for a technology-based home exercise program and phone call the preferred method of communication. Results indicate Telerehabilitation in the TJR population is feasible from the perspective of access to, feelings toward, and preferences for technology.
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real time Telerehabilitation for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is effective and comparable to standard practice a systematic review and meta analysis
Clinical Rehabilitation, 2017Co-Authors: Michelle A Cottrell, Anne J Hill, Olivia A Galea, Shaun Oleary, Trevor RussellAbstract:Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment delivered via real-time Telerehabilitation for the management of musculoskeletal conditions, and to determine if real-time Telerehabilitation is comparable to conventional methods of delivery within this population.Data sources:Six databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, PEDro, psycINFO, CINAHL) were searched from inception to November 2015 for literature which reported on the outcomes of real-time Telerehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions.Review methods:Two reviewers screened 5913 abstracts where 13 studies (n = 1520) met the eligibility criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Downs & Black ‘Checklist for Measuring Quality’ tool. Results were pooled for meta-analysis based upon primary outcome measures and reported as standardised mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results:Aggregate results suggest that Telerehabilitation is effective in the improvement of physical function (SMD 1.63, 95%CI 0.92-2.33, I2=93...
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a systematic review of the effects of Telerehabilitation in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 2015Co-Authors: Rita Hwang, Jared Bruning, Norman R Morris, Allison Mandrusiak, Trevor RussellAbstract:PURPOSE: To examine the effects of Telerehabilitation compared with other delivery models for improving physical or functional outcomes in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. METHODS: A search was completed for English language publications from 1990 to August 2013 across 4 electronic databases and gray literature. Inclusion criteria were: (1) home-based Telerehabilitation as a core component; (2) at least 2 exercise sessions; (3) randomized controlled trials; and (4) reporting of physical or functional outcome measures in adult patients with coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, and chronic respiratory disease. Studies were independently screened by 2 reviewers and graded by a reviewer according to the Downs and Black checklist. A narrative synthesis of the included studies was undertaken. RESULTS: Eleven studies were analyzed. It appears that Telerehabilitation is no different to other delivery models for patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, in terms of exercise capacity expressed as distance on the 6-minute walk test and peak oxygen consumption and quality of life. Telerehabilitation appears to have higher adherence rates compared with center-based exercise. There has been similar or no adverse events reported in Telerehabilitation compared with center-based exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Although Telerehabilitation shows promise in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, compelling evidence is still limited. There is a need for more detailed, high-quality studies and for studies on the use of video-based Telerehabilitation.
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assessing dysphagia via Telerehabilitation patient perceptions and satisfaction
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 2013Co-Authors: Shobha Sharma, Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Clare L Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:AbstractTo gain insight into factors which may influence future acceptance of dysphagia management via Telerehabilitation, patients’ perceptions were examined before and after a Telerehabilitation assessment session. Forty adult patients with dysphagia (M =66 years, SD =16.25) completed pre- and post-session questionnaires which consisted of 14 matched questions worded to suit pre- and post-conditions. Questions explored comfort with the use of Telerehabilitation, satisfaction with audio and video quality, benefits of Telerehabilitation assessments and patients’ preferred assessment modality. Questions were rated on a 5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 3 = unsure, 5 = strongly agree). Patients’ comfort with assessment via Telerehabilitation was high in over 80% of the group both pre- and post-assessment. Pre-assessment, patients were unsure what to expect with the auditory and visual aspects of the videoconference, however there were significant positive changes reported post-experience. In relation to...
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Validity of Conducting Clinical Dysphagia Assessments for Patients with Normal to Mild Cognitive Impairment via Telerehabilitation
Dysphagia, 2012Co-Authors: Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Shobha Sharma, Clare Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:To assess the validity of conducting clinical dysphagia assessments via Telerehabilitation, 40 individuals with dysphagia from various etiologies were assessed simultaneously by a face-to-face speech-language pathologist (FTF-SLP) and a Telerehabilitation SLP (T-SLP) via an Internet-based videoconferencing Telerehabilitation system. Dysphagia status was assessed using a Clinical Swallowing Examination (CSE) protocol, delivered via a specialized Telerehabilitation videoconferencing system and involving the use of an assistant at the patient’s end of the consultation to facilitate the assessment. Levels of agreement between the FTF-SLP and T-SLP revealed that the majority of parameters reached set levels of clinically acceptable levels of agreement. Specifically, agreement between the T-SLP and FTF-SLP ratings for the oral, oromotor, and laryngeal function tasks revealed levels of exact agreement ranging from 75 to 100% (kappa = 0.36–1.0), while the parameters relating to food and fluid trials ranged in exact agreement from 79 to 100% (kappa = 0.61–1.0). Across the parameters related to aspiration risk and clinical management, exact agreement ranged between 79 and 100% (kappa = 0.49–1.0). The data show that a CSE conducted via Telerehabilitation can provide valid and reliable outcomes comparable to clinical decisions made in the FTF environment.
Grigore C. Burdea - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Shared virtual environments for Telerehabilitation.
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2020Co-Authors: George V. Popescu, Grigore C. Burdea, Rares BoianAbstract:Current VR Telerehabilitation systems use offline remote monitoring from the clinic and patient-therapist videoconferencing. Such “store and forward” and video-based systems cannot implement medical services involving patient therapist direct interaction. Real-time Telerehabilitation applications (including remote therapy) can be developed using a shared Virtual Environment (VE) architecture. We developed a two-user shared VE for hand Telerehabilitation. Each site has a Telerehabilitation workstation with a videocamera and a Rutgers Master II (RMII) force feedback glove. Each user can control a virtual hand and interact hapticly with virtual objects. Simulated physical interactions between therapist and patient are implemented using hand force feedback. The therapist’s graphic interface contains several virtual panels, which allow control over the rehabilitation process. These controls start a videoconferenc ing session, collect patient data, or apply therapy. Several experimental Telerehabilitation scenarios were successfully tested on a LAN. A Web-based approach to “real-time” patient telemonitoring - the monitoring portal for hand Telerehabilitation – was also developed. The therapist interface is implemented as a Java3D applet that monitors patient hand movement. The monitoring portal gives real-time performance on off-the-shelf desktop workstations.
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Invited Paper: Low-Cost Telerehabilitation
2020Co-Authors: Grigore C. BurdeaAbstract:The hardware and software costs of Telerehabilitation systems are summarized. Several hardware and software examples are given in order to look at what has been done, and what can be done in the future. At present only a single low-cost Telerehabilitation system (developed at the University of California at Irvine) has been identified. The author does not claim this to be a comprehensive review, rather an attempt to motivate the reader to look at ways to overcome cost barriers to widespread Telerehabilitation use.
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Eleven Months of home virtual reality Telerehabilitation - Lessons learned
2009 Virtual Rehabilitation International Conference, 2009Co-Authors: Meredith R. Golomb, Monica Barkat-masih, Brian Rabin, Moustafa Abdelbaky, Meghan Huber, Grigore C. BurdeaAbstract:Indiana University School of Medicine and the Rutgers Tele-rehabilitation Institute have collaborated for over a year on a clinical pilot study of in-home hand telerehabiltation. Virtual reality videogames were used to train three adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Training duration varied between 6 and 11 months. The investigators summarize medical, technological, legal, safety, social, and economic issues that arose during this lengthy study. Solutions to deal with these multitude of issues are proposed. The authors stress the importance of choosing multiple outcome measures to detect clinically meaningful change. The authors believe that in-home Telerehabilitation is the future of rehabilitation.
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Technical and patient performance using a virtual reality-integrated Telerehabilitation system: Preliminary finding
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2007Co-Authors: Judith E. Deutsch, Jeffrey A. Lewis, Grigore C. BurdeaAbstract:Telerehabilitation is the provision of rehabilitation services at a distance, by a therapist at a remote location. Telerehabilitation, integrated with virtual reality, is a relatively new addition to this field. This paper describes the technical and patient performance of a virtual reality based Telerehabilitation system for ankle training. Telerehabilitation was introduced in the fourth week of a lower extremity virtual reality-based training program for individuals post-stroke. Technical performance of the system was assessed based on bandwidth and time lag of message transmission, which were found to be suitable for clinicto-clinic communication. Patient performance in the transition from the third to the fourth week of training remained the same (for accuracy of ankle movement, exercise duration and training efficiency) or increased (mechanical power of the ankle and number of repetitions). These findings strengthen the case for virtual reality based Telerehabilitation. © 2006 IEEE.
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Technical and Patient Performance Using a Virtual Reality-Integrated Telerehabilitation System: Preliminary Finding
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2007Co-Authors: Judith E. Deutsch, Jeffrey A. Lewis, Grigore C. BurdeaAbstract:Telerehabilitation is the provision of rehabilitation services at a distance by a therapist at a remote location. Integration with virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new addition to this field. This paper describes the technical and patient performance of a Telerehabilitation application the remote console (ReCon) that is integrated with a VR system. The VR system consists of the Rutgers Ankle prototype robot, a local PC which is connected with a remote PC connected over the Internet. Six individuals in the chronic phase poststroke participated in a four week training program. They used the robot to interact with two VR simulations, while the therapist was in the same room during the first three weeks or in another room during the fourth week. Technical and patient performance was assessed in the transition from the third to the fourth week of training. Technical performance of the system was assessed based on bandwidth and lag of message transmission, which were found to be suitable for clinic-to-clinic communication. Patient performance (in terms of accuracy of ankle movement, exercise duration and training efficiency, mechanical power of the ankle, and number of repetitions) did not decrease during Telerehabilitation in the fourth week. These preliminary findings over a short Telerehabilitation intervention support the feasibility of remote monitoring of VR-based Telerehabilitation without adverse effects on patient performance
Deborah Theodoros - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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assessing dysphagia via Telerehabilitation patient perceptions and satisfaction
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 2013Co-Authors: Shobha Sharma, Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Clare L Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:AbstractTo gain insight into factors which may influence future acceptance of dysphagia management via Telerehabilitation, patients’ perceptions were examined before and after a Telerehabilitation assessment session. Forty adult patients with dysphagia (M =66 years, SD =16.25) completed pre- and post-session questionnaires which consisted of 14 matched questions worded to suit pre- and post-conditions. Questions explored comfort with the use of Telerehabilitation, satisfaction with audio and video quality, benefits of Telerehabilitation assessments and patients’ preferred assessment modality. Questions were rated on a 5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 3 = unsure, 5 = strongly agree). Patients’ comfort with assessment via Telerehabilitation was high in over 80% of the group both pre- and post-assessment. Pre-assessment, patients were unsure what to expect with the auditory and visual aspects of the videoconference, however there were significant positive changes reported post-experience. In relation to...
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Validity of Conducting Clinical Dysphagia Assessments for Patients with Normal to Mild Cognitive Impairment via Telerehabilitation
Dysphagia, 2012Co-Authors: Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Shobha Sharma, Clare Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:To assess the validity of conducting clinical dysphagia assessments via Telerehabilitation, 40 individuals with dysphagia from various etiologies were assessed simultaneously by a face-to-face speech-language pathologist (FTF-SLP) and a Telerehabilitation SLP (T-SLP) via an Internet-based videoconferencing Telerehabilitation system. Dysphagia status was assessed using a Clinical Swallowing Examination (CSE) protocol, delivered via a specialized Telerehabilitation videoconferencing system and involving the use of an assistant at the patient’s end of the consultation to facilitate the assessment. Levels of agreement between the FTF-SLP and T-SLP revealed that the majority of parameters reached set levels of clinically acceptable levels of agreement. Specifically, agreement between the T-SLP and FTF-SLP ratings for the oral, oromotor, and laryngeal function tasks revealed levels of exact agreement ranging from 75 to 100% (kappa = 0.36–1.0), while the parameters relating to food and fluid trials ranged in exact agreement from 79 to 100% (kappa = 0.61–1.0). Across the parameters related to aspiration risk and clinical management, exact agreement ranged between 79 and 100% (kappa = 0.49–1.0). The data show that a CSE conducted via Telerehabilitation can provide valid and reliable outcomes comparable to clinical decisions made in the FTF environment.
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Managing patient factors in the assessment of swallowing via Telerehabilitation
International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications, 2012Co-Authors: Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Shobha Sharma, Clare L Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:Undoubtedly, the identification of patient suitability for a Telerehabilitation assessment should be carried out on a case-by-case basis. However, at present there is minimal discussion of how Telerehabilitation systems can accommodate and adapt to various patient factors, which may pose challenges to successful service delivery. The current study examines a subgroup of 10 patients who underwent an online assessment of their swallowing difficulties. Although all assessments were completed successfully; there were certain patient factors, which complicated the delivery of the online assessment session. The paper presents a discussion of the main patient factors observed in this cohort including the presence of speech and/or voice disorders, hearing impairment, dyskinesia, and behavioural and/or emotional issues and examines how the assessment session, the Telerehabilitation system, and the staff involved were manipulated to accommodate these patient factors. In order for Telerehabilitation systems to bemore widely incorporated into routine clinical care, systems need to have the flexibility and design capabilities to adjust and accommodate for patients with varying levels of function and physical and psychological comorbidities.
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Speech-Language Pathology and Telerehabilitation
Telerehabilitation, 2012Co-Authors: Deborah TheodorosAbstract:Speech-language pathology services are eminently suited to delivery via Telerehabilitation owing to the audio–visual nature of the interaction between the clinician and the client. An increasing need for alternate modes of service delivery in this profession is evident because of the growing demand and cost of health care, a changing society, and rapid developments in technology. Equitable access to services, improvement in quality of care, ongoing intervention, and the promotion of self-management are several benefits to be derived from Telerehabilitation. The evidence base supporting the use of Telerehabilitation in speech-language pathology continues to grow, with research conducted in neurogenic communication disorders, stuttering, voice disorders, dysphagia, laryngectomy, and pediatric speech, language, and literacy disorders. A variety of technologies are now available to support a continuum of care for people with chronic communication and swallowing disorders. The future of Telerehabilitation in speech-language pathology is promising, although several challenges such as clinician confidence, education and training, professional portability, reimbursement, and economic evaluation need to be addressed.
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assessing swallowing disorders online a pilot Telerehabilitation study
Telemedicine Journal and E-health, 2011Co-Authors: Shobha Sharma, Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Clare L Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:Abstract Objective: Dysphagia (a swallowing disorder) is known to occur in numerous clinical populations, but unfortunately because of issues accessing speech pathology services, not all patients are able to receive dysphagia intervention and rehabilitation services in a timely manner. Existing research supports the use of telehealth technology for providing various aspects of speech pathology service; however, to date there is limited evidence to support the utilization of Telerehabilitation in the assessment and management of dysphagia. The aim of this research was to provide pilot information on the basic feasibility and validity of conducting dysphagia assessments via Telerehabilitation. Materials and Methods: Ten simulated patients, actors portraying patients with a range of swallowing difficulties, were used rather than actual patients to minimize any potential patient risk from unidentified aspiration. Dysphagia was assessed simultaneously by a face-to-face (FTF) and Telerehabilitation speech patho...
Judith E. Deutsch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Technical and patient performance using a virtual reality-integrated Telerehabilitation system: Preliminary finding
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2007Co-Authors: Judith E. Deutsch, Jeffrey A. Lewis, Grigore C. BurdeaAbstract:Telerehabilitation is the provision of rehabilitation services at a distance, by a therapist at a remote location. Telerehabilitation, integrated with virtual reality, is a relatively new addition to this field. This paper describes the technical and patient performance of a virtual reality based Telerehabilitation system for ankle training. Telerehabilitation was introduced in the fourth week of a lower extremity virtual reality-based training program for individuals post-stroke. Technical performance of the system was assessed based on bandwidth and time lag of message transmission, which were found to be suitable for clinicto-clinic communication. Patient performance in the transition from the third to the fourth week of training remained the same (for accuracy of ankle movement, exercise duration and training efficiency) or increased (mechanical power of the ankle and number of repetitions). These findings strengthen the case for virtual reality based Telerehabilitation. © 2006 IEEE.
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Technical and Patient Performance Using a Virtual Reality-Integrated Telerehabilitation System: Preliminary Finding
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2007Co-Authors: Judith E. Deutsch, Jeffrey A. Lewis, Grigore C. BurdeaAbstract:Telerehabilitation is the provision of rehabilitation services at a distance by a therapist at a remote location. Integration with virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new addition to this field. This paper describes the technical and patient performance of a Telerehabilitation application the remote console (ReCon) that is integrated with a VR system. The VR system consists of the Rutgers Ankle prototype robot, a local PC which is connected with a remote PC connected over the Internet. Six individuals in the chronic phase poststroke participated in a four week training program. They used the robot to interact with two VR simulations, while the therapist was in the same room during the first three weeks or in another room during the fourth week. Technical and patient performance was assessed in the transition from the third to the fourth week of training. Technical performance of the system was assessed based on bandwidth and lag of message transmission, which were found to be suitable for clinic-to-clinic communication. Patient performance (in terms of accuracy of ankle movement, exercise duration and training efficiency, mechanical power of the ankle, and number of repetitions) did not decrease during Telerehabilitation in the fourth week. These preliminary findings over a short Telerehabilitation intervention support the feasibility of remote monitoring of VR-based Telerehabilitation without adverse effects on patient performance
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Virtual Reality-Integrated Telerehabilitation System: Patient and Technical Performance
2006 International Workshop on Virtual Rehabilitation, 2006Co-Authors: Judith E. Deutsch, Jeffrey A. Lewis, Grigore C. BurdeaAbstract:Telerehabilitation is the provision of rehabilitation services at a distance, by a therapist at a remote location. Telerehabilitation, integrated with virtual reality, is a relatively new addition to this field. This paper describes the technical and patient performance of a virtual reality based Telerehabilitation system for ankle training. Telerehabilitation was introduced in the fourth week of a lower extremity virtual reality-based training program for individuals post-stroke. Technical performance of the system was assessed based on bandwidth and time lag of message transmission, which were found to be suitable for clinic-to-clinic communication. Patient performance in the transition from the third to the fourth week of training remained the same (for accuracy of ankle movement, exercise duration and training efficiency) or increased (mechanical power of the ankle and number of repetitions). These findings strengthen the case for virtual reality based Telerehabilitation
Elizabeth C Ward - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Dysphagia Management via Telerehabilitation: A Review of the Current Evidence
Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology research, 2014Co-Authors: Elizabeth C Ward, Clare L BurnsAbstract:Dysphagia is a common symptom of a wide range of medical conditions. Accurate assessment, diagnosis and management of dysphagia requires the expertise of a skilled speech pathologist with access to a range of clinical resources. Unfortunately, not all services are easily accessible by patients, and many services face challenges of insufficient staffing, limited access to necessary equipment for instrumental assessments and/or a lack of clinicians with specialist expertise in dysphagia assessment and management to meet current service demands. Telerehabilitation is a model of care, which has the potential to address some of these barriers to improve patient access to dysphagia services. This paper details the evidence base for dysphagia assessment and management conducted via Telerehabilitation available to date. It discusses the issues involved with evaluating Telerehabilitation services and highlights important considerations for future service development. Overall the evidence base in this field is in its infancy and there are multiple questions which require further research. Despite this, the current evidence is largely positive, supporting the potential for Telerehabilitation to serve as a viable clinical modality for the delivery of dysphagia management in the future.
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assessing dysphagia via Telerehabilitation patient perceptions and satisfaction
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 2013Co-Authors: Shobha Sharma, Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Clare L Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:AbstractTo gain insight into factors which may influence future acceptance of dysphagia management via Telerehabilitation, patients’ perceptions were examined before and after a Telerehabilitation assessment session. Forty adult patients with dysphagia (M =66 years, SD =16.25) completed pre- and post-session questionnaires which consisted of 14 matched questions worded to suit pre- and post-conditions. Questions explored comfort with the use of Telerehabilitation, satisfaction with audio and video quality, benefits of Telerehabilitation assessments and patients’ preferred assessment modality. Questions were rated on a 5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 3 = unsure, 5 = strongly agree). Patients’ comfort with assessment via Telerehabilitation was high in over 80% of the group both pre- and post-assessment. Pre-assessment, patients were unsure what to expect with the auditory and visual aspects of the videoconference, however there were significant positive changes reported post-experience. In relation to...
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Validity of Conducting Clinical Dysphagia Assessments for Patients with Normal to Mild Cognitive Impairment via Telerehabilitation
Dysphagia, 2012Co-Authors: Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Shobha Sharma, Clare Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:To assess the validity of conducting clinical dysphagia assessments via Telerehabilitation, 40 individuals with dysphagia from various etiologies were assessed simultaneously by a face-to-face speech-language pathologist (FTF-SLP) and a Telerehabilitation SLP (T-SLP) via an Internet-based videoconferencing Telerehabilitation system. Dysphagia status was assessed using a Clinical Swallowing Examination (CSE) protocol, delivered via a specialized Telerehabilitation videoconferencing system and involving the use of an assistant at the patient’s end of the consultation to facilitate the assessment. Levels of agreement between the FTF-SLP and T-SLP revealed that the majority of parameters reached set levels of clinically acceptable levels of agreement. Specifically, agreement between the T-SLP and FTF-SLP ratings for the oral, oromotor, and laryngeal function tasks revealed levels of exact agreement ranging from 75 to 100% (kappa = 0.36–1.0), while the parameters relating to food and fluid trials ranged in exact agreement from 79 to 100% (kappa = 0.61–1.0). Across the parameters related to aspiration risk and clinical management, exact agreement ranged between 79 and 100% (kappa = 0.49–1.0). The data show that a CSE conducted via Telerehabilitation can provide valid and reliable outcomes comparable to clinical decisions made in the FTF environment.
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Managing patient factors in the assessment of swallowing via Telerehabilitation
International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications, 2012Co-Authors: Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Shobha Sharma, Clare L Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:Undoubtedly, the identification of patient suitability for a Telerehabilitation assessment should be carried out on a case-by-case basis. However, at present there is minimal discussion of how Telerehabilitation systems can accommodate and adapt to various patient factors, which may pose challenges to successful service delivery. The current study examines a subgroup of 10 patients who underwent an online assessment of their swallowing difficulties. Although all assessments were completed successfully; there were certain patient factors, which complicated the delivery of the online assessment session. The paper presents a discussion of the main patient factors observed in this cohort including the presence of speech and/or voice disorders, hearing impairment, dyskinesia, and behavioural and/or emotional issues and examines how the assessment session, the Telerehabilitation system, and the staff involved were manipulated to accommodate these patient factors. In order for Telerehabilitation systems to bemore widely incorporated into routine clinical care, systems need to have the flexibility and design capabilities to adjust and accommodate for patients with varying levels of function and physical and psychological comorbidities.
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assessing swallowing disorders online a pilot Telerehabilitation study
Telemedicine Journal and E-health, 2011Co-Authors: Shobha Sharma, Elizabeth C Ward, Deborah Theodoros, Clare L Burns, Trevor RussellAbstract:Abstract Objective: Dysphagia (a swallowing disorder) is known to occur in numerous clinical populations, but unfortunately because of issues accessing speech pathology services, not all patients are able to receive dysphagia intervention and rehabilitation services in a timely manner. Existing research supports the use of telehealth technology for providing various aspects of speech pathology service; however, to date there is limited evidence to support the utilization of Telerehabilitation in the assessment and management of dysphagia. The aim of this research was to provide pilot information on the basic feasibility and validity of conducting dysphagia assessments via Telerehabilitation. Materials and Methods: Ten simulated patients, actors portraying patients with a range of swallowing difficulties, were used rather than actual patients to minimize any potential patient risk from unidentified aspiration. Dysphagia was assessed simultaneously by a face-to-face (FTF) and Telerehabilitation speech patho...
