Tele-rehabilitation in Knee Osteo Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease with an inflammatory component that starts from the matrix of the articular cartilage, progresses with disruption of chondrocyte responses and results in tissue destruction. In OA, primary involvement is seen in the articular cartilage, and progressive damage occurs. Females are affected more than males and they have marked locomotor disabilities. Moreover, OA patients suffer from a range of extra-articular symptoms which also leads to functional impairment and disability such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, fear of movement, physical inactivity, and decreased muscle strength.

OA management with physical therapy and exercise is recognized as the cornerstone of conservative and self-treatment for this chronic disease. The lack of professional supervision and feedback will result in reduced participation in continuing OA medical or rehabilitative services, which in turn will reduce the effectiveness of OA treatments.

With the development of telemedicine, it has been determined that patients living in remote areas have the chance to communicate with professional physicians simultaneously. The concept of telerehabilitation has been introduced in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, which combines telemedicine and rehabilitation interventions to support ongoing rehabilitation services for patients. Internet- based rehabilitation is one of the effective strategies in telerehabilitation. The use of the internet to provide health-related interventions has the potential to reduce the cost of treatment and improve user satisfaction.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients diagnosed with mild to moderate OA by their physicians.
• Female in the age range of 45 - 65 years.
• Volunteer to participate in the study.
• Living independently.
• Being able to walk without using an assistive device.
• Owning a mobile phone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection.
• Being able to use the device without assistance.

Exclusion criteria

• Having been diagnosed with any other systemic rheumatic diseases.
• Having been involved in a physiotherapy and rehabilitation program in any health institution in the last 6 months,
• Having knee-related surgery,
• Having meniscal or ligament-associated tears occurred in the past 6 months,
• Having a history of falling more than 2 times in the last 6 months,
• Having a history of knee injection in the last 4 weeks or scheduled in the next 8 week,
• Being illiterate, having cognitive problems, having blurred vision problem, and having hearing loss.