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Application of Telerehabilitation for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2022

Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh ,
Mahmoudreza Peyravi ,
Negar Azhdari ,
Kambiz Bahaadinbeigy  and
Fatemeh Sarpourian
Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh
Affiliation:
Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Mahmoudreza Peyravi
Affiliation:
Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Negar Azhdari
Affiliation:
Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Kambiz Bahaadinbeigy
Affiliation:
School of Management and Medical Informatics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Fatemeh Sarpourian*
Affiliation:
Health Information Management, Department of Health Information Technology, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
*
Corresponding author: Fatemeh Sarpourian, Email: fatemehsarpourian@gmail.com.
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Abstract

Introduction:

The use of telerehabilitation in different disciplines, particularly in the rehabilitation of older adults, has grown significantly across the world. In the wake of the coronavirus disease 2919 (COVID-19) outbreak, a chance has arisen to improve the user experience and to draw attention to the advantages of using this service. The current research aimed to evaluate the investigations that used telerehabilitation to assist elderly people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

Systematic searches of papers published between September 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021, were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and ProQuest databases. The author narrowed down the list of articles by using search terms. Ultimately, publications from the COVID-19 period were studied for their perspectives on the use of telerehabilitation among the elderly population. The whole process was supervised by 2 investigators at the same time.

Results:

In total, 2529 articles were included in the first search. Five articles were chosen for further assessment based on the careful consideration of their titles, abstracts, and full texts. Cross-sectional, feasibility, case, and interventional studies comprised 20%, 20%, 20%, and 40% of the papers, respectively. The studies were carried out in Brazil, the United States, Germany, Japan, and South Korea and involved using telerehabilitation for elderly individuals, identification of crucial manifestations and impairments, improving physical function in this population, and ensuring their happiness.

Conclusions:

Using a digital strategy for rehabilitation should be regarded as a means of overcoming the field’s obstacles. As a result, legislators and rehabilitation groups should consider the use of telerehabilitation for the elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords

elderlyCOVID-19rehabilitationtelemedicine
Type
Systematic Review
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 17 , 2023 , e402
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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