Telerehabiltation in Italy During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Authors

  • Giada Milani ITF@Unife Center for Translational Neurophysiology, Istituto Iitaliano di Tecnologia; Doctoral Program in Translational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy; Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara; Italy
  • Giulia Demattè School of Physiotherapy, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
  • Matilde Ferioli School of Physiotherapy, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
  • Giulia Dallagà Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
  • Susanna Lavezzi Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
  • Nino Basaglia Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
  • Sofia Straudi Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2061-9922

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2021.6334

Keywords:

COVID-19, Disability, Physical therapy, Physiotherapy, Technology, Telemedicine, Telerehabilitation

Abstract

This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a telerehabilitation program during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of adult patients with physical disabilities. Of the twenty-three patients enrolled, 11 agreed to participate in a video-based telerehabilitation program. Barriers and facilitators to the adoption of telerehabilitation were identified and clinical, demographic, and psychological variables were analysed as predictors of success. Age, cognitive reserve, and resilience were significant predictors of satisfaction with telerehabilitation (p<0.05). The telerehabilitation program was perceived as feasible and was well accepted by patients, despite some technology challenges. However, patients who took advantage of telerehabilitation perceived differences in the quality of service and preferred traditional in-person treatment to service delivery via telerehabilitation.

  

Author Biography

Sofia Straudi, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

 

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Published

2021-06-23

How to Cite

Milani, G., Demattè, G., Ferioli, M., Dallagà, G., Lavezzi, S., Basaglia, N., & Straudi, S. (2021). Telerehabiltation in Italy During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study . International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2021.6334

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2021)

Section

Clinical Practice - COVID 19

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