How Remote Patient Monitoring is Revolutionizing Physical Therapy

Peihan Guo 01 June, 2023

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) technology has enabled a digital transformation of the healthcare system, including the field of physical therapy. By integrating RPM into physical therapy practices, providers including physical therapists, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics and sports medicine centers can ensure continuous monitoring, personalized feedback, and optimized treatment plans for their patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the essential role of RPM, leading PTs and OTs to advocate for its use through specific billing codes.

Telehealth shouldn’t be for emergencies only

This important advocacy by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) highlights the significant benefits of integrating Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) in physical therapy. By harnessing the power of RPM, healthcare providers can deliver personalized care, optimize treatment outcomes, and enhance patient engagement.

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Use Cases of Remote Patient Monitoring in Physical Therapy

We explore how Remote patient monitoring is revolutionizing physical therapy, promoting improved outcomes and enhanced patient care.

1. Remote Rehabilitation

RPM facilitates the remote delivery of physiotherapy services. Wearable devices or motion sensors allow physiotherapists to remotely monitor exercise adherence, range of motion, muscle strength, and relevant metrics. This enables therapists to track progress, provide feedback, and adjust treatment plans without in-person visits.

2. Injury Rehabilitation

For athletes recovering from sports injuries, RPM supports their rehabilitation process.

Remote Patient Monitoring Helps Orthopedic Surgeons Improve Patient Outcome

Wearable devices and sensors, like knee sensors, track important factors such as swelling, joint stability, muscle activation, and movement patterns. They provide valuable data for physical therapists to remotely assess recovery progress, identify biomechanical issues, and customize treatment plans and exercise progressions for optimal recovery.

3. Performance Optimization

For performance optimization in physical therapy, various portable medical devices can be used. These include wearable sensors, motion trackers, force plates, and smart training equipment. These may include:

• Portable electromyography (EMG) devices: These devices measure muscle activity and can help assess muscle imbalances, identify areas of weakness, and optimize training programs.
• Inertial measurement units (IMUs): IMUs are small wearable sensors that can track movement patterns, joint angles, and acceleration. They provide valuable data for assessing biomechanics and optimizing athletic performance.
• Force plates: Force plates are portable platforms that measure ground reaction forces during different movements. They can help assess balance, gait patterns, and landing mechanics, enabling the optimization of performance and injury prevention strategies.
• Handheld dynamometers: These devices measure muscle strength and can be used to assess muscle imbalances, track progress, and guide targeted strength training interventions.
• Portable oxygen analyzers: These devices measure oxygen consumption and can be used to assess cardiovascular fitness and optimize exercise intensity during performance training.

RPM aids in tracking athletes’ performance and monitoring potential injury risk factors. By monitoring biomechanics, muscle imbalances, movement patterns, and workload metrics leveraging these medical devices, physiotherapists identify areas for improvement, implement injury prevention strategies, and optimize training programs remotely.

4. Wellness Programs

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) platforms support general health and wellness programs. Through video calls and integration with wearable devices, physiotherapists and fitness trainers remotely manage programs for weight and diabetes management, and assess users’ progress.

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Conclusion

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is revolutionizing physical therapy by enabling remote monitoring, personalized care, and improved patient engagement. By harnessing the power of RPM, physical therapists optimize treatment outcomes and deliver high-quality care, transcending traditional clinical settings.

We hope this blog has shed light on the transformative potential of RPM in physical therapy and the immense benefits it brings to both patients and providers. By embracing RPM, we can shape the future of physical therapy and elevate the standards of patient care.
Explore our Remote Patient Monitoring(RPM) solution for more information. 

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References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Telehealth Best Practice Guide: Telehealth for Physical Therapy. Retrieved from https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/best-practice-guides/telehealth-for-physical-therapy/physical-therapy-and-remote-patient-monitoring

American Physical Therapy Association. (n.d.). Telehealth. Retrieved from https://www.apta.org/advocacy/issues/telehealth 

How Remote Patient Monitoring Helps Surgeons Improve Patient Outcomes. Retrieved from https://ptgenie.com/remote-patient-monitoring-helps-surgeons-improve-patient-outcomes/