Home-based intervention and monitoring in spinal cord injury: evaluating method and compliance in a telehealth trial

Abstract

Telehealth, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has become essential in-home health care, particularly for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, traditional telehealth often lacks adequate remote intervention and monitoring for SCI patients. This study evaluated a novel telehealth trial using transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) with innovative approaches to improve bladder function in SCI patients. Fifteen participants completed daily 15-minute TES sessions over four weeks, supported by courier-delivered equipment, video conferencing, and online assessments with self-reported monitoring at home. The trial achieved 100% adherence, with 80% of participants expressing confidence in device use and 87% indicating willingness to continue TES. Most participants found the device user-friendly, and 66% reported symptom improvement. This study highlights the potential of telehealth trials to enhance access to care, improve patient outcomes, and promote health equity in home care settings, particularly during periods of restricted in-person healthcare delivery.