DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Limited access to conventional rehabilitation services in rural areas often leads to persistent mobility impairments and reduced functional independence. Tele-rehabilitation has emerged as a promising solution, offering remote therapy through digital platforms. By addressing geographic and infrastructural barriers, it enables continuity of care for underserved populations. This study evaluates the clinical effectiveness of a structured tele-rehabilitation program in improving functional outcomes and quality of life in mobility-impaired individuals from rural Pakistan.
Objective: To compare the efficacy of an 8-week structured tele-rehabilitation program versus standard care in enhancing mobility, functional independence, and quality of life among rural individuals with mobility limitations.
Methods: A multicenter, assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted with 92 participants (n=46 in each group) aged 34–65 years, residing in rural regions of Pakistan. The intervention group underwent an 8-week home-based tele-rehabilitation program involving two in-person assessments, four structured teleconsultations, and biweekly motivational SMS messages. Exercises targeted upper and lower limb mobility, balance, coordination, and ambulation. The control group received routine post-discharge care with monthly check-ins. Primary outcomes included the Barrier to Care Questionnaire, Berg Balance Scale, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Secondary outcomes assessed quality of life (QOL). Normality was confirmed via Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (p>0.05), and data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and t-tests.
Results: The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements across all metrics (p<0.001): QOL scores increased by 15.8 points, barrier scores reduced by 1.6 points, Berg Balance scores improved by 16.5 points, and FIM scores rose by 28.2 points. Control group changes were minimal and statistically non-significant.
Conclusion: Tele-rehabilitation significantly enhances functional mobility, independence, and quality of life for individuals in rural settings. While effective, its scalability depends on resolving digital access issues and promoting sustained patient engagement.