Jefferson House, Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network and the Bone & Joint Institute are piloting a new Telerehabilitation Program.
Patients will be able to communicate with their therapist from the comfort of their own home.*
*Currently only available to patients who have had a knee replacement.
What is the purpose of this study?
This study will explore using an iPad tablet and a video based connection with a physical therapist to deliver home physical therapy after a total knee replacement surgery rather than in-person physical therapy. This has been studied in Canada, Australia and Spain. We want to learn if physical therapy delivered through an internet-based video connection results in the same or better level of functional recovery as in-person physical therapy. Patients are being asked to participate in this study because they will go to Jefferson House after having a total knee replacement performed at Hartford Hospital.
Who are good candidates for this study?
A good candidate for this study meets the following:
- Age greater than 60
- Had a total knee replacement at Hartford Hospital followed by a stay at Jefferson House for post-operative rehabilitation care
What will be expected of patients who participate?
- Attend 1-2 training sessions with a physical therapist at Jefferson House on how to use the iPad-based telerehabilitation system before getting knee replacement surgery. The iPad and all other equipment will be provided to you by HHC.
- After getting knee replacement surgery and arriving home, you will receive physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 weeks with the same physical therapist you worked with at Jefferson House.
- Attend 6-10 outpatient physical therapy sessions at Jefferson House following telerehabilitation at home.
How long will the study last?
- The visits last 3 weeks, with 3 sessions each week, for a total of 9
sessions at your home.
- Attend 6-10 outpatient physical therapy sessions at Jefferson House following telerehabilitation at home.
What are the potential benefits?
- You will be able to work with the same physical therapist both before and after your surgery.
- You will not be asked to invite as many healthcare providers physically into your home.
- You will have access to a very good home exercise program and rehab
instructions that include pictures and videos.
- You will have access to message your therapist with specific questions that can be followed up on when you meet for physical therapy sessions.
What are the potential risks?
The risks of participating in this study are minimal. The primary risk is a breach of confidentiality, however measures have been taken to protect the security of the patient's protected health information. Patients will receive the same standard of physical therapy care. The only exception will be that hands-on-care is not possible via an iPad centered physical therapy visit.
Where can I learn more?
Download the study brochure
Contact:
Christopher M Peterson PT, DPT
Principal Investigator
Email: Christopher.peterson@hhchealth.org
Phone: 860.696.2500
Kathleen Sullivan PT
Secondary Investigator
Email: Kathleen.sullivan@hhchealth.org
Phone: 860.667.4453