THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFICACY, PATIENT ADHERENCE RATES, AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF REMOTE SENSOR-TRACKED PHYSIOTHERAPY VERSUS IN-PERSON TRAINING
Keywords:
Digital rehabilitation, Remote patient monitoring, physiotherapy, Wearable sensors, Patient adherence, Musculoskeletal disorders, Neurological rehabilitation, TelerehabilitationAbstract
This systematic review compared remote sensor-tracked physiotherapy with traditional in-person training for musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, focusing on clinical efficacy and patient adherence. Adherence outcomes consistently favored remote interventions, with rates reaching up to 90% in home-based programs, though effect sizes varied by intervention design and follow-up duration. Short-term studies of eight weeks or fewer showed stronger adherence, while longer programs experienced decay unless reinforced by coaching. Qualitative evidence identified convenience, self-monitoring, and feedback as facilitators, while technical burden, lack of therapist presence, and cost were barriers. Our findings indicate that remote sensor-tracked physiotherapy offers comparable clinical efficacy with superior adherence, though technical challenges and the need for therapeutic alliance remain significant. This work provides evidence for integrating digital rehabilitation into clinical practice and healthcare policy.
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