(English) Episode 267-Does digital physical therapy actually work

This rapid overview synthesizes evidence from 53 systematic reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation within physical therapy across various medical conditions. The research highlights that remote interventions are often comparable to in-person care or superior to no treatment for musculoskeletal issues, cardiopulmonary diseases, and certain neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis. While tools such as videoconferencing and mobile messaging facilitate accessibility, the authors note that many existing reviews suffer from a high risk of bias or inconsistent data synthesis. Consequently, the report emphasizes the need for higher-quality clinical trials to solidify these findings and improve decision-making. Ultimately, the source suggests that digital practice serves as a vital, feasible strategy for maintaining continuity of care, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.(Seron P, Oliveros M-J, Gutierrez-Arias R, Fuentes-Aspe R, Torres-Castro RC, Merino-Osorio C, et al. Effectiveness of telerehabilitation in physical therapy: A rapid overview. Phys Ther [Internet]. 2021;101(6):zab053. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab053)