Highlights
- •Accessibility and perceived effectiveness of physiotherapy reduced during pandemic.
- •Physiotherapists advised PwMS to use web applications and television exercise programs.
- •Use of telerehabilitation or virtual reality technology did not increase.
- •Main concern in therapists’ use of remote technology was lack of physical assessment.
Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to reorganization or reduction of neurorehabilitation
services for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The aim of this study was to explore
the changes in the organizational framework and technology usage in physiotherapy
services for PwMS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
This international cross-sectional survey study was designed, developed, and disseminated
by RIMS European Network for Best Practice and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation.
Physiotherapists from nine countries (Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Ireland,
Israel, Italy, Norway, Spain, Turkey) who provided physiotherapy services to PwMS,
were invited to complete an online survey to compare physiotherapy delivery to PwMS
prior to and during the pandemic period.
Results
The survey was completed by 215 physiotherapists. Accessibility, the average number,
length and perceived effectiveness of physiotherapy sessions provided to PwMS were
significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic (p=0.001). Physiotherapists increased
the advice of mobile apps, recorded videos for rehabilitation and exercise websites
during the pandemic (p<0.001) while the use of telerehabilitation and virtual reality
technology did not change.
Conclusion
There was of a reduction in the number, duration and perceived effectiveness of rehabilitation
sessions for people with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic while use
of remote technologies for physiotherapy did not change. To ensure the continuity
of physiotherapy for PwMS with complex healthcare needs also during pandemics, the
provision of guidelines and training in telehealth technologies in professional education
becomes crucial.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 25, 2023
Accepted:
January 13,
2023
Received in revised form:
January 4,
2023
Received:
November 22,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
