Tele-rehabilitation for patients with knee osteoarthritis during COVID-19 in MacLehose Medical Rehabilitation Centre

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 epidemic, tele-rehabilitation became an option to provide rehabilitation when all out-patient and day-patient services were affected. Tele-rehabilitation developed in the Physiotherapy Department of MacLehose Medical Rehabilitation Centre (MMRC) for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). It is to review the use of tele-rehabilitation in MMRC. Materials and Methods: From March to April of 2020, 12 and nine patients with KOA were recruited from orthopaedic clinics of MMRC and Queen Mary Hospital (QMH), respectively, for tele-rehabilitation. Physiotherapists of MMRC were able to perform physical assessment for patients during their orthopaedic consultations in MMRC clinic. Eight sessions of tele-rehabilitation via telephone with 10 minutes each, twice a week for 4 weeks were provided to patients. All patients learnt disease management and were encouraged to exercise regularly. For MMRC group, physiotherapist offered exercise progression for eight sessions. Pain intensity, walking tolerance, difficulties with stairs, EuroQoL Index and disease knowledge were assessed. Patient satisfaction and overall improvement in numeric global rating of change scale (NGRCS) were evaluated. Results: For MMRC group, improvements were observed in stair walking (>50% patient better comparatively), EuroQoL Index (0.14 scores more), and knowledge (1.75 scores more). Patients only improved in disease knowledge (1.78 scores more) in QMH group. Both groups had improved in NGRCS (MMRC: 4.00 ± 2.05 scores, QMH: 1.56 ± 1.67). Both groups were satisfied with the service with no significant difference. Discussion and Conclusion: The tele-rehabilitation programme for patients with KOA is feasible with good acceptance from patients.