Research Summary
Knee Pain Patients Who Tried Video-Call Physical Therapy Were More Willing to Choose and Pay for It
People with chronic knee pain who had actually tried physical therapy by video call were more willing to choose it, and pay for it, than people who had only had in-person care, a new Australian study found. The research was published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.
What was studied
Telerehabilitation means getting physical therapy remotely, usually by video call. Earlier research has shown it can work for knee osteoarthritis, but many patients are unsure about it. The researchers wanted to know whether trying it changes how people feel.
They recruited 319 adults aged 45 or older with chronic knee pain consistent with osteoarthritis, all of whom had completed a randomized trial of physical therapy by video or in person. In a type of survey called a discrete choice experiment, participants repeatedly chose between hypothetical video and in-person consultations that differed in seven features.
Key findings
- People from the video-call group were willing to pay about AU$87 more for a telerehabilitation consultation than people from the in-person group.
- In the video-call group, 68% preferred telerehabilitation and 32% preferred in-person care.
- In the in-person group, 39% had a strong preference for in-person care and 61% a mild preference for it.
What it means for people with knee pain
If you have been hesitant about video physical therapy, this study suggests many people warm to it once they try it. It can save travel time and may be worth discussing with your therapist, especially if getting to appointments is hard.
Limitations
The choices were hypothetical, so real-world decisions could differ. All participants were Australian adults from one trial, which may limit how well results apply elsewhere. The study measured preferences, not pain or function.
Frequently asked questions
- What is telerehabilitation for knee pain?
- It is physical therapy delivered remotely, usually through video calls, where a therapist guides your exercises and progress without you traveling to a clinic.
- Do patients like video physical therapy?
- In this study, 68% of people who had tried it preferred it over in-person care, while people who only had in-person care leaned toward in-person visits.
- Did this study show telerehab works as well as in-person care?
- No. This study looked only at preferences and willingness to pay, not at pain or function. Ask your physical therapist whether remote sessions suit your situation.
Sudden severe pain, swelling, or can't bear weight? Seek medical care promptly. In an emergency call 911.