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

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

Phase I Study Comparing Internet Delivered Home Exercise Programs to Standard Orthopedic Care and Outpatient Physical Therapy.

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.

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.

Rehabilitation, eRehab, Physical Therapy, e-Health, Telemedicine, Telerehabilitation, Patient-Centered

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.

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.

Growth in e-Health applications, defined as any computer or Internet application integrated into health services, has resulted in the development of treatment strategies to improve healthcare while reducing costs. The utilization of e-Health to provide a rehabilitative intervention has recently been identified in the cardiac literature as "e-rehabilitation" or "eRehab." This study specifically compares an orthopedic eRehab Internet application to standard outpatient physical therapy as an adjunct in the treatment of non-complicated knee and shoulder disorders.

Patient utilization of an eRehab portal measured by number of logons and performance of a home exercise program as documented with an exercise log.

A patient's insurance explanation of benefits will be reviewed for 6 months from completion of the current episode of care to determine patient out of pocket expenses

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

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