In health matters, the Internet can be used to collect data or search for information. But it could also be a vector to compensate for the lack of therapists. A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine looked at the case of osteoarthritis of the knee. No treatment for this pathology, but adapted physical exercises focused on joint mobility, and training in psychological pain management have already shown their evidence. Problem: Finding a health professional to prescribe and supervise these exercises is sometimes impossible. Each problem has its solution, and here it would therefore come from the Internet.
Supervised exercises via the Internet
To test their hypothesis, the researchers separated 148 people with chronic knee pain into two groups. The first followed for three months a program of 7 sessions on Skype (a video messaging) with a physical therapist, who explains the physical and psychological exercises to be performed at home. The second group, called “control”, had access to educational documents online.
Scientists measured the level of pain and functionality of the knee joint at the start of the research, and then 3 and 6 months later. Participants in the first group reported significantly less pain than the others, and improvements in their knee mobility. For the researchers, these results indicate the importance of telemedicine and its various applications to take care of patients cheaply and easily.
To read also
Osteoarthritis of the knee: new technologies to help patients
Injections of hyaluronic acid, plasma, osteotomy … New techniques to treat osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis: what relieves pain