Feasibility of Virtual Assessment of Physical Frailty in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients – A Single Centre, Observational Study

Authors

  • Manoela de Paula Ferreira Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Noori Chowdhury Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Lisa Wickerson Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada & Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Heather Ross Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Nazia Selzner Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • S. Joseph Kim Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada & Medicine, Nephrology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Lianne G. Singer Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada & Medicine, Respirology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Sunita Mathur Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada & School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2022.6447

Keywords:

COVID-19, Frailty, Telehealth, Transplantation

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the feasibility of virtual assessments of physical frailty in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients using a modified Fried Frailty Index (mFFI) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and to describe the prevalence of frailty 12-months post-transplant using virtual assessment. Methods: Virtual assessments were performed using an e-questionnaire and a video-call for functional tests. Feasibility variables included: internet quality, video-call duration, presence of a companion, and adverse events. Results: 34 SOT recipients, median age 62 (46-67), 76% lung recipients, 47% female, were included. The video-call had a median duration of 12 minutes (10-15 min), without adverse events. A companion was present in 23 (68%) video-call assessments. Fifteen SOT recipients (44%) were classified as pre-frail by the mFFI, and none were frail. Three participants (8.8%) were classified as frail using the SPPB. Conclusion: Virtual frailty assessments can be used as an alternative to in-person assessments in SOT recipients.

  

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Published

2022-05-25

How to Cite

Ferreira, M. de P., Chowdhury, N., Wickerson , L. ., Ross, H. ., Selzner , N. ., Kim , S. . J. ., Singer , L. G., & Mathur, S. . (2022). Feasibility of Virtual Assessment of Physical Frailty in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients – A Single Centre, Observational Study. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2022.6447

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Virtual Frailty Assessments

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