Videoconferencing, Virtual Reality and Home-Based CIMT- Opportunities to Improve Access and Compliance through Telerehabilitation

Telemedicine and its application of telerehabilitation (TR) appear to offer endless possibilities for creative, personalized therapies and interventions beyond the initial applications with videoconferencing. Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (SKRI) has been practicing TR and applying virtual reality (VR) to physical rehabilitation for almost ten years. Our experience has shown that many rural patients lack access to rehabilitation services, which can lead to poor clinical outcomes. Urban patients may have access to services, but poor outcomes still may result due to non-compliance. Bridging of distance, provision of expertise to locales where little exists and the potential of Web based delivery and simulation are areas developed by SKRI. Experience of over 5 years of video teleconferencing (VTC) TR program and expansion of the concept of distance therapy applications to homes of patients will be discussed, along with the barriers to implementation. The application of VR in TR holds much promise in engaging and motivating patients in home-based therapies