Improving telerehabilitation technology to challenge chronic disease management

Abstract

Demands for rehabilitation services, particularly in-home care and outpatient clinics, are increasing and are difficult to meet. In-home telerehabilitation is growing as a complement or alternative to face-to-face therapy. The technological aspect of telerehabilitation is in constant evolution and is central to a high quality and efficient way for rehabilitation delivery. The aim of this presentation is to demonstrate technological innovations used "in-home" with the telerehabilitation platform over the years (generations 1 and 2 of the technological infrastructure). The improvements made from the first to the second generation partly implied the use of external sensors to allow a real time follow-up of clinical parameters. These changes have permitted research and new studies to target new populations for teletreatment. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.