Table 2 Clinical studies from the field of trauma surgery reporting on telemedicine from 2020 and 2021
Author, year | Journal | LoE | Design | Country | Purpose of the study | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ortiz-Piña et al., 2021 [47] | Int J Environ Res Public Health | II | Prospective non randomised clinical trial | Spain | Analyses the effects of a multidisciplinary 12 week postoperative tele-rehabilitation program on functional recovery in elderly patients with hip fractures when compared with a home-based in-person rehabilitation considered standard of care in Spain. Higher functional independence measure scores and better Timed Up and Go Test results were found in the intervention group | Tele-rehabilitation in patients with hip fractures showing higher functional independence than in standard of care group |
Delbaere et al., 2021 [33] | BMJ | I | RCT | Australia | Tests if a specific exercise program intended for older people and digitally delivered through an app (StandingTall) can reduce the rate of falls. No difference was seen in the first 12Â months, but a slightly reduced fall rate over 24Â months when compared with the control group | App based exercise program showing no reduced rate of falls in elderly people after 12Â months |
Binder et al., 2021 [42] | Contemp Clin Trials | II | clinical trial | USA | Study protocol with the intention to evaluate the six minute walk distance and other parameters after testosterone gel application and a digital home exercise program after hip fracture in the elderly | Study protocol |
McCarty et al., 2021 [46] | JAMA Netw Open | I | RCT | USA | Examines if a collaborative care treatment is associated with improvements in patients with post concussive symptoms. The interventions provided were largely based on telehealth applications and succeeded in better improving symptoms in patients over one year | Telehealth applications in patients with post concussive symptoms successfully improved symptoms over one year |
Wohlmann et al., 2021 [48] | Telemed J E Health | II | RCT | Germany | Describes positive effects of a medical emergency data set on the comprehensiveness of a physician’s documentation and handover process to the emergency department of a hospital | Positive impact of a digital medical emergency data set |
Ariza-Vega et al., 2021 [41] | Phys Ther | II | clinical trial | Spain | Evaluates the family caregivers’ perspectives of the recovery process of the elderly patients in their care with hip fracture comparing an online rehabilitation program with the standard of care in Spain | Main reasons for caregivers and their family member to chose a telerehab program were to enhance recovery after fracture, gain knowledge for managing at home, and because of the convenience of completing the exercises at home |
Gilmore et al., 2020 [45] | Womens Health Issues | II | RCT | USA | Compares the effectiveness of prolonged exposure therapy in posttraumatic stress disorder after military sexual trauma in women with a special focus on this therapy delivered either in person or via telemedicine | Dropout rate in prolonged exposure therapy in posttraumatic stress disorder was independent of whether it was delivered in person or via telehealth |
Campbell et al., 2020 [35] | J Trauma Stress | III | multicentre study | USA | Describes that pretreatment social support moderates the association between cognitive processing therapy duration and changes in posttraumatic stress disorder in a telemedicine-based collaborative care intervention for rural veterans | The connection between CPT treatment duration and treatment outcomes may be stronger for veterans with higher levels of pretreatment social support |
Jeong et al., 2020 [40] | JMIR Mhealth Uhealth | II | RCT | China | Describes the necessity to use high quality photographs for correct remote diagnosis via telemedicine of dental trauma and that already simple instructions suffice to improve image quality | Simple instructions and good quality photos largely improve quality image interpretation in telemedicine |
Rietdijk et al., 2020 [37] | J Speech Lang Hear Res | II | RCT | Australia | Investigates the effectiveness of social communications skills training (TBIconneCT) for people with traumatic brain injury and their communication partners when delivered either in-person or via telehealth. Similar improvements in communication skills were found in both groups | Telehealth delivery of social communication skills training can be equally effective as in person training |
Pas et al., 2020 [34] | Br J Sports Med | I | RCT | Netherlands | Evaluates the effectiveness of an e-health prevention program on reducing tennis injury prevalence. Over a four months period, no difference was observed between the control group and the group using the TennisReady program | No effect of an e-health prevention program on reducing tennis injury prevalence |
Rietdijk et al., 2020 [38] | J Head Trauma Rehabil | II | RCT | Australia | Evaluates the efficacy of social communications skills training (TBIconneCT) for people with traumatic brain injury when delivered either in-person or via telehealth. Outcomes reported by the survivor and close communication partner showed no relevant difference between both delivery channels | Telehealth delivery of social communication skills training can be equally effective as in person training |
Coronado et al., 2020 [44] | Phys Ther Sport | III | RCT | USA | Assesses the feasibility (n = 8) of a telephone-based cognitive-behavioural-based physical therapy intervention for improving postoperative recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction | Satisfied patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction receiving a telephone-based cognitive-behavioural-based physical therapy intervention |
Téot et al., 2020 [39] | Int J Low Extrem Wounds | II | RCT | France | Compares the outcomes of patients with complex wounds who received home wound care from a local clinician instructed by a remote wound care expert via telemedicine versus the results from patients who received their wound care directly from the specialist. No significant difference was found between both groups | Successful wound management via telemedicine by means of a local clinician instructed remotely by a wound care expert |
Buccellato et al., 2020 [43] | Mil Med | II | RCT | USA | Feasibility trial of a virtual rehabilitation program (BBVR) in patients with acquired brain injuries | All of the participants and providers reported moderate to high levels of utility, ease of use and satisfaction with the BBVR system |
Hart et al., 2020 [36] | Neuropsychol Rehabil | II | RCT | USA | Compares treatment for depression or anxiety in traumatic brain injury patients when delivered by two different protocols, both of which included daily motivating text messages (SMS) | Only moderate effects were obtained by the SMS |