Effectiveness of telerehabilitation on pain, functional mobility and disability in patients with shoulder dysfunctions during covid-19 pandemic

Background: Telerehabilitation services have become essential for many patients during the Covid-19 lockdown. These services enable accessibility to rehabilitation to restore normal joint function. The modifications in lifestyle owing to the lockdown period seem to be a major cause of shoulder dysfunction. Convenience and safety provided during guided therapy sessions are gaining popularity. It is mentioned that telerehabilitation when applied appropriately is a safe and effective way to deliver services. Objective(s): The study was designed to assess the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in patients with dysfunctions of the shoulder joint. Materials and Methods: Fourteen subjects with shoulder dysfunctions were recruited in the study based on their inclusion and exclusion criteria during the lockdown period. The pre- and post-assessment for shoulder dysfunction was done using VAS for pain, Functional Assessment of shoulder for functional mobility and Quick DASH for disability via telerehabilitation. Results: There was a mean difference seen in the pre- and post-VAS and Functional Assessment scores which were statistically significant (p<0.05). The results of this study also showed that there was a mean difference in the pre and post Quick DASH score with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) showing an overall reduction in pain and improvement in functional mobility. Conclusion: The study concluded that three weeks of telerehabilitation was effective on managing pain and improvement in functional mobility in patients with shoulder joint dysfunction during COVID-19 pandemic.