• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the perceptions and service needs of tele-physical therapy among people in their 50s and older in Korea. Methods: Subjects were inducted during a 14-day survey of 104 people over the age of 50 in Korea and were administered a questionnaire consisting of 14 questions about their general characteristics and another 14 questions about tele-physical therapy. Results: The general characteristics of the participants (participants' gender, whether they were single or married, number of cohabiting families, final education, major, job, physical therapy experience, tele-physical therapy experience, presence of a physical therapy worker among relatives, subjective health awareness, chronic disease conditions if any, frequency of drinking, and smoking) were investigated. Among the perceptions of the subjects about tele-physical therapy, the score of 'awareness' was the lowest, and that of 'resolving restrictions on hospital visits' was the highest. In an analysis of the correlation between perceptions and needs, there was a significant correlation with factors other than 'awareness' and 'information protection' factors. The regression analysis of necessity and factors revealed that the awareness of necessity increased as the intention to use, health improvement, and time efficiency improved. Conclusion: These findings presented the perception and necessity of tele-physical therapy for adults in their 50s or older in Korea. These results will help confirm the demand for tele-physical therapy in this age group in Korea and the need to improve the available physical therapy services.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.307-319
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of tele-physical therapy of health and non-health majors. It can provide basic research data for the provision of medical services in the future by identifying the level of awareness of the need for tele-physical therapy and the factors that affect it. Methods: The subjects were adults aged 20 to 29 in Korea, with 199 participants consisting of 83 health majors and 116 non-health majors. The survey was conducted over a period of 14 days. The survey comprised 19 questions, including 10 questions about general characteristics and 9 questions about tele-physical therapy recognition. The results were statistically analyzed using a statistical package program. Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the recognition of tele-physical therapy, with an average of 2.64 points in health majors and an average of 1.71 points in non-health majors, showing a low overall score. There was no significant difference in perception of the necessity of tele-physical therapy, with an average of 3.71 points in health majors and an average of 3.49 points in non-health majors, showing a high score, which was defined as a score of 3 or higher. Conclusion: Health and non-health majors showed low awareness of tele-physical therapy. A high level of perceived necessity for tele-physical therapy was shown. In the perception of tele-physical therapy in health majors, 'awareness', 'health improvement', and 'convenience' affect the perception of the necessity of tele-physical therapy. In non-health majors, 'knowledge and skills', 'health improvement', 'expected treatment satisfaction', and 'resolving restrictions on hospital visits' affect the perception of the necessity of tele-physical therapy.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.15-24
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• 2022

Background: This study investigated the perception of community care-based tele exercise rehabilitation according to demographic characteristics of physical therapists and presented basic data for the spread of tele exercise rehabilitation within community care. Methods: The study collected and analyzed data from 195 physical therapists. The analysis was performed using frequency analysis with 10 general characteristics, 13 tele exercise rehabilitation recognition questions, and a total of 23 questions. Analysis of general characteristics of study subjects and recognition of tele exercise rehabilitation were expressed in terms of frequency and percentage using frequency analysis. Chi-squared test was used to compare general characteristics and tele exercise rehabilitation recognition. Correlation analysis of major sociodemographic variables affecting the perception of remote exercise rehabilitation was conducted. Results: The awareness level of physical therapists for remote exercise rehabilitation was confirmed. The difference in the recognition of remote motor rehabilitation in the number of therapists, career, hospital form according to the sociodemographic characteristics showed statistically significant differences. Conclusion: It is necessary to first raise awareness of therapists through the promotion of tele exercise rehabilitation, and furthermore, in the future, it will be necessary to find a policy direction and plan on how tele exercise rehabilitation can be applied to rehabilitation services in local communities care.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.365-373
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• 2020

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how healthcare is delivered worldwide and has affected the environment of the healthcare. Physical therapy in traditional healthcare systems can be difficult in unusual circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Tele-physical therapy, defined as "the delivery of the physical therapy at a distance using electronic information and telecommunication technologies," will be a solution for this healthcare crisis. Thus, in this study, we proposed a mobile application for tele-physical therapy. Methods: This study used the Chrome Browser version 83.0.4 based on the Windows 10 64Bit operating system to use the App Inventor. To operate the mobile application, we used the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. The design of the mobile application was based on the review of a system used in the physical therapy department. Results: The graphical user interface (GUI) of the mobile application was displayed on three screens: selecting a painful joint (1st screen of the GUI); selecting a painful movement of the joint (2nd screen of the GUI); a self-manual therapy method and movie (3rd screen of the GUI). The proposed mobile application showed the stable repeatability of the self-manual therapy movie. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that the proposed mobile application using the App Inventor for android will be able to create easy to use and reliable tele-physical therapy.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.105-114
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• 2023

Objective: The study examined the validity and reliability of tele-assessment of cervical range of motion (ROM) through video conferencing. Design: A cross-sectional study Methods: The study included 22 healthy adults as subjects and 10 physical therapists as evaluators. The subjects underwent both face-to-face and tele-assessment of cervical ROM. The CROM (Cervical Range of Motion) device was used for reference measurements in the face-to-face assessment. The evaluators assessed the subjects' ROM through visual inspection (VI) and using a Universal Goniometer (UG) in the tele-assessment. Results: The results showed a significant correlation between the face-to-face and tele-assessment measurements for all ROM contents. The correlation coefficients ranged from r=0.54 to 0.71 (p<0.05), indicating concurrent validity. In terms of inter-rater reliability, the ICC values for both VI and UG assessments in the tele-assessment were high, with ICCs of 0.93 and 0.92, respectively. Additionally, the study investigated the usability of the tele-assessment method and environment. The satisfaction of the participants and evaluators was assessed using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), which evaluates perceptions, usability, and satisfaction with telehealth services. Conclusions: In conclusion, tele-assessment of cervical range of motion using video conferencing was valid and reliable. Also, investigated participant and evaluator satisfaction and opinions, providing insights into the clinical value of tele-assessment. It is important to note that the study was conducted only healthy adults, and further research may be needed to validate the tele-assessment method in populations with cervical dysfunction or neck pain. These findings support the potential effectiveness of telerehabilitation services in assessing and managing musculoskeletal disorders.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.149-157
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of using smartphones for tele-rehabilitation on head position and neck dysfunction in workers with visual display terminal (VDT) syndromes over a four-week period. Methods: Sixteen VDT workers volunteered to participate in stretch exercise and posture education sessions. The subjects were divided into three groups as follows: five subjects in the visit group (VSG), six subjects in the video group (VEG), and five subjects in tele-rehabilitation group (TG). The subjects in all the groups performed the exercises three days per week for four weeks. Cranial rotation angle (CRA), craniovertebral angle (CVA) measurement, and neck disability index (NDI) tests were performed before and four weeks after the intervention. Results: No significant difference in the CRA and CVA variables was found among groups. No significant difference in the CRA variable was found within each group. A significant difference in the CRA variable was found in the VSG after the four-week intervention. No significant difference in NDI was found among the groups. The NDIs among all the groups were significantly decreased after the intervention when compared with the NDIs measured before the intervention. Conclusion: The use of smartphones in the tele-rehabilitation of VDT workers with neck pain was found to be as effective on neck function as the conventional intervention method. The tele-rehabilitation of VDT workers with neck dysfunctions may be presented as an alternative way.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.106-111
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• 2021

Objective: This study covered the effect of stabilization exercise on muscle activity, shoulder painanddisability index(SPADI) oftheelderly people with chronic shoulder pain by tele-rehabilitation village hall in rural area. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: The study subjects are 29 elders with chronic shoulder pain aged over 65-year-old who reside in the rural area (experimental group: 14 elders and control group: 15). The elderly people in the experimental group were asked to perform shoulder stabilization exercise 60 minutes per one time for 4 weeks and three times in a week and the others in the control group were asked to receive education related to pain management for the initial one time. Before and after the experiment, we measured the subjects' muscle activity of upper trapezius, serratus anterior and the lower trapezius. In addition, SPADI is measured through the questionnaire. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significant differences in the muscle activity of the three muscles (upper trapezius, serratus anterior, lower trapezius), and SPADI. Conclusions: It is found that shoulder stabilization exercise is effective in muscleactivity, pain and ability of the elderly people through tele-rehabilitation service. This study should be used for improving the quality of the elderly people's lives through active tele-rehabilitation service for areas where have poor medical benefits.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.47-54
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the status and prospects of telerehabilitation to identify the challenges and propose strategies for its promotion both domestically and internationally. The study also focused on the preconditions and improvements required for adopting telerehabilitation, considering technological, institutional, and socio-cultural factors. METHODS: A thorough database search was conducted. The relevant research, papers, and reports were collected, and the literature was evaluated to summarize the findings. RESULTS: Tele-rehabilitation showed promise in enhancing the healthcare service quality and accessibility. However, addressing challenges requires a comprehensive analysis of its status, global research trends, and the formulation of adoption strategies. Research in this direction is expected to improve healthcare services. CONCLUSION: Tele-rehabilitation can enhance healthcare services by overcoming geographical limitations. On the other hand, addressing challenges through analysis and strategic planning is essential for its effective adoption and advancing healthcare quality and accessibility.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.53-62
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate for effective strategies to improve home exercise program (HEP) adherence in vestibular rehabilitation (VR). Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify effective strategies used to improve HEP adherence of patients in VR. Six databases, Academic Search Premier, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PUBMED, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched from their inception to December 31, 2015. The keywords used for search were 'home program', 'home intervention', 'compliance', 'adherence', 'vestibular rehabilitation', 'motion sickness', and 'motion sensitivity'. Results: A total of eight studies were selected to be included in the review. There was 95.2% agreement between the two reviewers who reviewed the studies using a quality assessment tool. The overall inter-rater agreement (${\kappa}$=0.73) showed good agreement between the reviewers. Strong evidence was identified for 3 major categories of effective HEP adherence strategies, 1) providing patient with written summary of HEP; 2) asking patient to maintain a record of HEP and symptoms; and 3) providing tele-rehabilitation in form of email and/or telephone support along with in person treatment sessions. Also, based on strong evidence, computerized technology was not found to be superior to other strategies for improving patients' HEP adherence in VR. Conclusions: The effective strategies for improving HEP in VR include written summary of exercise, maintenance of log of HEP and symptoms and tele-rehabilitation along with in person treatment sessions.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.179-186
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• 2008

This paper presents a portable tele-assessment system designed for remote evaluation of the hypertonic elbow joint of neurologically impaired patients. A patient's upper limb was securely strapped to a portable limb-stretching device which is connected through Internet to a portable haptic device by which a clinician remotely moved the patient's elbow joint and felt the resistance from the patient. Elbow flexion angle and joint torques were measured from both master and slave devices and bilaterally fed back to their counterparts. In order to overcome problems associated with the network latency, two different tele-operation schemes were proposed depending on relative speed of tasks compared to the amount of time delay. For slow movement tasks, the bilateral tele-operation was achieved in real-time by designing control architectures after causality analysis. For fast movement tasks, we used a semi-real-time tele-operation scheme which provided the clinicians with stable and transparent feeling. The tele-assessment system was verified experimentally on patients with stroke. The devices were made portable and low cost, which makes it potentially more accessible to patients in remote areas.