TY - JOUR
T1 - The Effectiveness of Exercise Physiology Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
T2 - A Pragmatic Cohort Study
AU - Owen, Patrick J.
AU - Keating, Shelley E.
AU - Askew, Christopher D.
AU - Clanchy, Kelly M.
AU - Jansons, Paul
AU - Maddison, Ralph
AU - Maiorana, Andrew
AU - McVicar, Jenna
AU - Robinson, Suzanne
AU - Neason, Christopher
AU - Clarkson, Matthew J.
AU - Mundell, Niamh L.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA Telehealth Research Project). SEK was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia via an Early Career Research Fellowship (grant number: 1122190).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, Crown.
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - Background: The COVID-19 pandemic markedly changed how healthcare services are delivered and telehealth delivery has increased worldwide. Whether changes in healthcare delivery borne from the COVID-19 pandemic impact effectiveness is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effectiveness of exercise physiology services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 138 clients who received exercise physiology services during the initial COVID-19 pandemic. Outcome measures of interest were EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS, patient-specific functional scale, numeric pain rating scale and goal attainment scaling. Results: Most (59%, n = 82) clients received in-person delivery only, whereas 8% (n = 11) received telehealth delivery only and 33% (n = 45) received a combination of delivery modes. Mean (SD) treatment duration was 11 (7) weeks and included 12 (6) sessions lasting 48 (9) minutes. The majority (73%, n = 101) of clients completed > 80% of exercise sessions. Exercise physiology improved mobility by 14% (β = 0.23, P = 0.003), capacity to complete usual activities by 18% (β = 0.29, P < 0.001), capacity to complete important activities that the client was unable to do or having difficulty performing by 54% (β = 2.46, P < 0.001), current pain intensity by 16% (β = − 0.55, P = 0.038) and goal attainment scaling t-scores by 50% (β = 18.37, P < 0.001). Effectiveness did not differ between delivery modes (all: P > 0.087). Conclusions: Exercise physiology services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic improved a range of client-reported outcomes regardless of delivery mode. Further exploration of cost-effectiveness is warranted.
AB - Background: The COVID-19 pandemic markedly changed how healthcare services are delivered and telehealth delivery has increased worldwide. Whether changes in healthcare delivery borne from the COVID-19 pandemic impact effectiveness is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effectiveness of exercise physiology services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 138 clients who received exercise physiology services during the initial COVID-19 pandemic. Outcome measures of interest were EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS, patient-specific functional scale, numeric pain rating scale and goal attainment scaling. Results: Most (59%, n = 82) clients received in-person delivery only, whereas 8% (n = 11) received telehealth delivery only and 33% (n = 45) received a combination of delivery modes. Mean (SD) treatment duration was 11 (7) weeks and included 12 (6) sessions lasting 48 (9) minutes. The majority (73%, n = 101) of clients completed > 80% of exercise sessions. Exercise physiology improved mobility by 14% (β = 0.23, P = 0.003), capacity to complete usual activities by 18% (β = 0.29, P < 0.001), capacity to complete important activities that the client was unable to do or having difficulty performing by 54% (β = 2.46, P < 0.001), current pain intensity by 16% (β = − 0.55, P = 0.038) and goal attainment scaling t-scores by 50% (β = 18.37, P < 0.001). Effectiveness did not differ between delivery modes (all: P > 0.087). Conclusions: Exercise physiology services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic improved a range of client-reported outcomes regardless of delivery mode. Further exploration of cost-effectiveness is warranted.
KW - Coronavirus
KW - eHealth
KW - Rehabilitation
KW - Telehealth
KW - Telemedicine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85146601367&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s40798-022-00539-3
DO - 10.1186/s40798-022-00539-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 36617585
AN - SCOPUS:85146601367
SN - 2198-9761
VL - 9
JO - Sports Medicine - Open
JF - Sports Medicine - Open
IS - 1
M1 - 2
ER -