The effectiveness and satisfaction of web-based physiotherapy in people with spinal cord injury: a pilot randomised controlled trial
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Date
2016-09-06Author
Coulter, Elaine H.
McLean, A.
Hasler, J. P.
Allan, David
McFadyen, A.
Paul, Lorna
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Coulter, E., McLean, A., Hasler, J., Allan, D., McFadyen, A. & Paul, L. (2016) The effectiveness and satisfaction of web-based physiotherapy in people with spinal cord injury: a pilot randomised controlled trial, Spinal Cord, , , ,
Abstract
Study design: A pilot randomised controlled trial.
Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness and participant satisfaction of web-based physiotherapy in people
with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Setting: Community patients of a national spinal injury unit in a university teaching hospital, Scotland, UK.
Methods: Twenty-four participants were recruited and randomised to receive 8 weeks of web-based physiotherapy (intervention), twice
per week, or usual care (control). Individual exercise programmes were prescribed based on participants' abilities. The intervention was
delivered via a website (www.webbasedphysio.com) and monitored and progressed remotely by the physiotherapist.
Results: Participants logged on to the website an average of 1.4 0.8 times per week. Between-group differences, although
not significant, were more pronounced for the 6-min walk test. Participants were positive about using web-based physiotherapy
and stated that they would be happy to use it again and would recommend it to others. Overall, it was rated as either good or
excellent.
Conclusions: Web-based physiotherapy was feasible and acceptable for people with SCI. Participants achieved good compliance with
the intervention and rated the programme highly and beneficial for health and well-being at various states after injury. The results of
this study warrant further work with a more homogeneous sample.