Internet Enhanced, Patient-Centered Orthopedic Care: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Pilot Trial

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Knee Injuries; Shoulder Injuries; Rotator Cuff Disease; Meniscus Tear; Patellofemoral Pain
• Interventions: Other: Formal Physical Therapy; Other: eRehab

• Registration Number: NCT02025400
• Lead Sponsor: Charlotte Sports Medicine Institute, PA

Brief Summary

The investigators have previously reported on patient utilization of an eRehab patient education web portal that utilizes streaming, clinician prescribed video instruction to motivate and inform patients in self-care of their orthopedic condition, focusing on the importance of a home exercise program. The greatest barrier to patient use of this web-based home exercise treatment plan was the initial access to the program. The purpose of this study is to compare an Internet-based patient education rehab portal (eRehab) to formal physical therapy (PT) in terms of patient costs and outcomes.

Detailed Description

This is a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study. Twenty-four patients who were candidates for a knee or shoulder orthopedic outpatient physical therapy referral were randomized to a 6-week treatment course of either PT or eRehab. Patients were evaluated for outcome scores (KOOS or DASH), pain NRS-11 scores, patient subjective outcomes and cost of treatment.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2012-07
• Primary Completion: 2013-10
• Status Verified: 2013-12
• Study Completion: 2013-12
• Study First Submitted: 2013-12-26
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-12-31
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-12-31
• Study First Posted: 2014-01-01
• Last Update Posted: 2014-01-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

• patient diagnosed by board certified orthopedic surgeon to be in need of formal physical therapy referral
• had the ability to access and use the Internet and email
• English-speaking
• non-pregnant adults
• had not received formal physical therapy for their current diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria

• work-related injuries
• pain NRS-11 score greater than or equal to 6

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Physical Therapy	Formal Physical Therapy	This arm will receive the standard of care for orthopedic patients receiving a diagnosis and then a recommendation for outpatient physical therapy referral. They will follow through on the referral and attend physical therapy.
eRehab	eRehab	This group will not go to formal therapy but receive Internet delivered patient education and exercise instruction. This group will then perform those exercises at home.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Outcome scores for knee (KOOS) and shoulder (DASH)	six weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
NRS-11 pain scores	6 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Charlotte Sports Medicine Institute; 🇺🇸 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Advanced Orthopaedic Specialists; 🇺🇸 Prince Frederick, Maryland, United States