Internet Enhanced, Patient-Centered Orthopedic Care: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Pilot Trial

Charlotte Sports Medicine Institute, PA

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 1

Conditions: Knee Injuries; Meniscus Tear; Shoulder Injuries; Patellofemoral Pain; Rotator Cuff Disease

Treatments: Other: Formal Physical Therapy; Other: eRehab

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02025400

eRehab101

Details and patient eligibility

About

The investigators have previously reported on patient utilization of an eRehab patient education web portal that utilizes streaming, clinician prescribed video instruction to motivate and inform patients in self-care of their orthopedic condition, focusing on the importance of a home exercise program. The greatest barrier to patient use of this web-based home exercise treatment plan was the initial access to the program. The purpose of this study is to compare an Internet-based patient education rehab portal (eRehab) to formal physical therapy (PT) in terms of patient costs and outcomes.

Full description

This is a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study. Twenty-four patients who were candidates for a knee or shoulder orthopedic outpatient physical therapy referral were randomized to a 6-week treatment course of either PT or eRehab. Patients were evaluated for outcome scores (KOOS or DASH), pain NRS-11 scores, patient subjective outcomes and cost of treatment.

Enrollment: 24 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• patient diagnosed by board certified orthopedic surgeon to be in need of formal physical therapy referral
• had the ability to access and use the Internet and email
• English-speaking
• non-pregnant adults
• had not received formal physical therapy for their current diagnosis

Exclusion criteria

• work-related injuries
• pain NRS-11 score greater than or equal to 6

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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24 participants in 2 patient groups

Physical Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

This arm will receive the standard of care for orthopedic patients receiving a diagnosis and then a recommendation for outpatient physical therapy referral. They will follow through on the referral and attend physical therapy.

Treatment:

Other: Formal Physical Therapy

eRehab

Experimental group

Description:

This group will not go to formal therapy but receive Internet delivered patient education and exercise instruction. This group will then perform those exercises at home.

Treatment:

Other: eRehab