Physical therapy is an integral component of post-acute care, helping to restore function, reduce pain, and prevent future injuries. Traditional methods require in-person visits, which may be difficult for those with limited mobility, those who live in rural areas and those with a lack transportation options. But thanks to advances in telehealth and virtual rehabilitation technologies, John R. Callen of Joint & Neuro Rehab Associates explains that patients now have access to cutting-edge methods of physical therapy that could revolutionize this field forever.

Physical Therapy Through Telehealth

Telehealth is the use of electronic communication technologies to deliver healthcare remotely. In physical therapy, this may include video conferencing, telephone consultations, or messaging apps that enable patients to stay in contact with their therapists and receive guidance, support, and feedback on exercises and progress.

According to McKinsey & Company, utilization of telehealth services peaked at 78 times pre-COVID levels in April 2020 and has since stabilized at about 38 times pre-COVID levels. This has not only provided patients with a convenient and secure option during their crisis but also proven cost-effective: patients save on transportation fees, and the Duke Clinical Research Institute found that healthcare providers saved over $2,700 per patient through physical therapy via telehealth, compared with in-person visits.

Virtual Reality Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy

Virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation is the use of interactive computer programs and devices that create realistic environments, activities, and movements to aid functional recovery and develop motor skills. VR can be utilized in a variety of settings, such as clinics, hospitals, or patients’ homes, to target different aspects of physical therapy, like balance, coordination, strength, or cognition.

Research has demonstrated the efficacy of VR therapy. A study published in NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation demonstrated that stroke patients who received VR training along with traditional physical therapy experienced greater improvements in arm function compared to those receiving only traditional physical therapy. A meta-analysis of studies on VR rehabilitation for adults with Parkinson’s disease found that VR training resulted in greater improvements in step and stride length, balance, and mobility than conventional rehabilitation training.

Telehealth and VR is Transforming Healthcare

Telehealth and VR have had a profound effect on healthcare. Patients now have more options for receiving care, leading to improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, being able to receive care from home has reduced the burden on healthcare facilities, freeing up resources for other patients who require in-person attention.

According to a study published in the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, the proportion of physical therapists who used telehealth services grew from under 5% before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to 50% one year later. This has been beneficial not only for patients but also for healthcare providers. According to another study published in the Annals of Medicine, the implementation of telehealth services led to 13% fewer missed appointments, particularly among patients with chronic illnesses or numerous doctor appointments.

Conclusion

Telehealth and VR rehabilitation are cutting-edge methods of physical therapy that have the potential to transform this field. The adoption of telehealth and VR technology has resulted in improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs and was especially useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. As technological progress continues to accelerate, these advances will continue to benefit physical therapy services around the world.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has been nothing short of transformative explains John R. Callen of MedRehab Alliance.

It redefines multifunctionality. Around thew world and across sectors, from business and politics to the military, powerful AI analyzes data with record speed to inform decisionmakers from all walks of life.

Machine learning and other AI forms help businesses become more profitable and scientific research speedier and more effective.

It has helped make driving safer and can help financial institutions quickly detect fraud. Within the American military, AI can be used to mine through vital data gathered by surveillance and inform missions.

AI has perhaps some of the most promising applications within healthcare; it has the power to fundamentally change how people are given care and how we identify and prevent conditions for decades to come.

With AI, the healthcare system as we know it is rapidly changing for the better.

The AI Revolution

Just five years ago, many people hadn’t heard of AI — and that includes doctors and researchers within healthcare.

Today, some form of AI is used by the majority of healthcare institutions, from hospitals and research labs to higher institutions training the next generation of healthcare workers.

Consider this: In 2021, the value of the global AI healthcare marketplace was $10.4 billion, up from $2.4 billion in 2019. Estimates place the value of the market at over $31 billion by 2025.

AI overall has seen arguably the most growth in investment and application within healthcare. It is leading a powerful change in the industry.

This can be seen in the parallel rise of predictive care that can only be accomplished seamlessly and effectively with AI.

By 2030, AI is predicted to guide healthcare systems in such a way that predicts when patients will develop certain conditions, including major diseases, and even offer effective treatments early before some diseases become serious.

This predictive power has been seen in the ways AI has helped shed new light on everything from congestive heart failure to diabetes and breast cancer. By uncovering so-called social determinants of health, some diseases are in decline worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

Growing Number of Applications

AI doesn’t just have the power to predict certain diseases and organize data. It’s growth within healthcare has been seen in innumerable ways, including:

Improved Patient Experience

Analytic programs can dictate when doctors should remind patients about taking medications, checking their blood pressure, and when they are due for new appointments. Platforms powered by AI could improve the way patients and healthcare groups communicate, especially through live chats.

Sharper Diagnosis

Through AI, doctors can better analyze such medical tools as MRIs and X-rays, leading to better identification of diseases and more effective treatment plans. Algorithms powered by AI are already detecting cancer signs in mammograms with top accuracy.

More Personalized Care

At the University of Pennsylvania, doctors have used AI to pinpoint specific health risks within different populations, especially the elderly and people of color. These doctors have found that such AI technology may predict sepsis a full 12 hours before patients display symptoms.