Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Interventions in Multiple Sclerosis

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Interventions in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Patient Perspective

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system of unknown etiology. The most common clinical signs and symptoms are motor dysfunction, fatigue, spasticity, impaired mobility, cognitive impairment, chronic pain, depression, decreased quality of life, and bladder and bowel dysfunction. 66% of people with MS have impaired upper extremity function. As a result of the deterioration in upper extremity function, the performance of many daily living activities affects performance. As a result of this influence, there is a decrease in the functional independence of people, quality of life, and participation in activities in the community. Exercise training represents an existing behavioral treatment approach to safely manage many functional, symptomatic, and quality-of-life outcomes in MS. Telerehabilitation has been defined as "the delivery of rehabilitation services through information and communication technologies." Telerehabilitation has proven to be useful for people with MS by increasing physical activity and reducing fatigue. In the studies, telerehabilitation and face-to-face rehabilitation services were compared, and stated that they had similar results. At the same time, it was stated that telerehabilitation provides people with gains in terms of time and cost. In addition to all these, the researchers emphasized the benefits they received from telerehabilitation from the people's statements. Therefore, the results of this study, which will be performed on MS patients, will enable the evaluation of telerehabilitation strategies from the patient's point of view.

The participants was included in the study titled 'Investigation of the Effects of the Synchronized Telerehabilitation-based Upper Extremity Training Program on Hand-arm Function, Pain, Fatigue, Quality of Life, and Participation in People With Multiple Sclerosis (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05073731)' will be included in this study. Questionnaires that will enable individuals to evaluate their telerehabilitation service will be administered once. Physicians and physiotherapists will make evaluations.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having a definitive diagnosis of MS according to the 2017 McDonald criteria
• Being over 18 years old
• Volunteering to participate in the study
• To have received exercise training based on synchronous or asynchronous telerehabilitation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a neurological disease other than MS
• Having an MS attack 30 days before or during the study
• Cognitive disability at a level that hinders assessment and treatment.