Is Telehealth an Effective Way to Deliver Interactive Musculoskeletal Fitness Program for Pain Reduction?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are highly prevalent in Veterans, accounting for over half of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical visits.
• Over 90% of Veterans have service-linked MSK disabilities.
• VA medical centers face challenges with Veteran age span and diverse care needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a 24-hour accessible, telehealth-enabled MSK program for Veterans.
• To assess pain reduction and health improvement outcomes in the Veteran population.
• To determine the effectiveness of virtual fitness programs integrated with health coaching.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 146 Veteran participants.
• Utilized Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved data collection.
• Assessed outcomes from a four-phased, home-based online fitness program with integrated health offerings.

Main Results:

• The telehealth program demonstrated significant benefits in pain reduction.
• Participants experienced increased physical activity, positively impacting quality of life.
• Objective and quantifiable data supported program efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Telehealth is an effective modality for delivering fitness programs to Veterans of all ages.
• The program facilitated participation in home, work, and remote settings.
• Positive health trends justify the continuation of this telehealth initiative.