Perceptions of Telerehabilitation Among Patients Receiving Physical Therapy for Spine Pain

Telerehabilitation was widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain access to physical therapy. However, its use has declined since the pandemic, potentially due to changes in patient demand.

To explore patients' beliefs, attitudes, and preferences regarding telerehabilitation for spine pain treatment.

Email or telephone administered survey.

Outpatient physical therapy network affiliated with an academic healthcare system.

Patients recently evaluated for spine pain by a physical therapist (n=100).

Survey items addressed patients' perceptions of telerehabilitation effectiveness, preferences for care delivery, barriers to telerehabilitation, and factors influencing telerehabilitation use.

Patients viewed telerehabilitation as effective for treating spine pain but not as effective as in-clinic physical therapy. Patients reported a preference for receiving care in-clinic care or using a hybrid model, rather than receiving care through telerehabilitation alone. Barriers to telerehabilitation included a lack of awareness of who offers telerehabilitation and uncertainty about its effectiveness. Patients indicated that evidence supporting telerehabilitation effectiveness would increase their likelihood of using telerehabilitation in the future. Patients also reported that transportation challenges or increased COVID-19 rates would encourage them to use telerehabilitation in the future.

The results of this survey suggest that patients with spine pain believe telerehabilitation may be an effective treatment approach, but they are skeptical about using telerehabilitation instead of in-clinic physical therapy. These results also suggest that patients are open to hybrid approaches that incorporate telerehabilitation, as well as using telerehabilitation if circumstances prevented them from receiving their care in-clinic. The largest patient concern surrounding telerehabilitation seems to be the lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness.

This study suggests that patients believe telerehabilitation will continue to play an important role post-pandemic. However, comparative effectiveness research is needed to address patient concerns surrounding the effectiveness of telerehabilitation and guide informed decision-making.