TY - JOUR A1 - Salzwedel, Annett A1 - Rabe, Sophie A1 - Zahn, Thomas A1 - Neuwirth, Julia A1 - Eichler, Sarah A1 - Haubold, Kathrin A1 - Wachholz, Anne A1 - Reibis, Rona Katharina A1 - Völler, Heinz T1 - User Interest in Digital Health Technologies to Encourage Physical Activity BT - Results of a Survey in Students and Staff of a German University JF - JMIR. Mhealth & Uhealth N2 - Background: Although the benefits for health of physical activity (PA) are well documented, the majority of the population is unable to implement present recommendations into daily routine. Mobile health (mHealth) apps could help increase the level of PA. However, this is contingent on the interest of potential users. Objective: The aim of this study was the explorative, nuanced determination of the interest in mHealth apps with respect to PA among students and staff of a university. Methods: We conducted a Web-based survey from June to July 2015 in which students and employees from the University of Potsdam were asked about their activity level, interest in mHealth fitness apps, chronic diseases, and sociodemographic parameters. Results: A total of 1217 students (67.30%, 819/1217; female; 26.0 years [SD 4.9]) and 485 employees (67.5%, 327/485; female; 42.7 years [SD 11.7]) participated in the survey. The recommendation for PA (3 times per week) was not met by 70.1% (340/485) of employees and 52.67% (641/1217) of students. Within these groups, 53.2% (341/641 students) and 44.2% (150/340 employees)—independent of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and level of education or professional qualification—indicated an interest in mHealth fitness apps. Conclusions: Even in a younger, highly educated population, the majority of respondents reported an insufficient level of PA. About half of them indicated their interest in training support. This suggests that the use of personalized mobile fitness apps may become increasingly significant for a positive change of lifestyle. KW - physical activity KW - telemedicine KW - primary prevention KW - healthy lifestyle Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.7192 VL - 5 IS - 4 PB - JMIR Publications CY - Toronto ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Eichler, Sarah A1 - Völler, Heinz A1 - Reibis, Rona Katharina A1 - Wegscheider, Karl A1 - Butter, Christian A1 - Harnath, Axel A1 - Salzwedel, Annett T1 - Geriatric or cardiac rehabilitation? BT - Predictors of treatment pathways in advanced age patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation JF - BMC Cardiovascular Disorders N2 - Background Aim of the study was to find predictors of allocating patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to geriatric (GR) or cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and describe this new patient group based on a differentiated characterization. Methods From 10/2013 to 07/2015, 344 patients with an elective TAVI were consecutively enrolled in this prospective multicentric cohort study. Before intervention, sociodemographic parameters, echocardiographic data, comorbidities, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), quality of life and frailty (score indexing activities of daily living [ADL], cognition, nutrition and mobility) were documented. Out of these, predictors for assignment to CR or GR after TAVI were identified using a multivariable regression model. Results After TAVI, 249 patients (80.7 ± 5.1 years, 59.0% female) underwent CR (n = 198) or GR (n = 51). GR patients were older, less physically active and more often had a level of care, peripheral artery disease as well as a lower left ventricular ejection fraction. The groups also varied in 6MWD. Furthermore, individual components of frailty revealed prognostic impact: higher values in instrumental ADL reduced the probability for referral to GR (OR:0.49, p <  0.001), while an impaired mobility was positively associated with referral to GR (OR:3.97, p = 0.046). Clinical parameters like stroke (OR:0.19 of GR, p = 0.038) and the EuroSCORE (OR:1.04 of GR, p = 0.026) were also predictive. Conclusion Advanced age patients after TAVI referred to CR or GR differ in several parameters and seem to be different patient groups with specific needs, e.g. regarding activities of daily living and mobility. Thus, our data prove the eligibility of both CR and GR settings. KW - TAVI KW - Treatment pathways KW - Frailty KW - Geriatric rehabilitation Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-020-01452-x SN - 1471-2261 VL - 20 PB - BioMed Central CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Eichler, Sarah A1 - Salzwedel, Annett A1 - Rabe, Sophie A1 - Mueller, Steffen A1 - Mayer, Frank A1 - Wochatz, Monique A1 - Hadzic, Miralem A1 - John, Michael A1 - Wegscheider, Karl A1 - Völler, Heinz T1 - The Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation as a Supplement to Rehabilitation in Patients After Total Knee or Hip Replacement BT - Randomized Controlled Trial JF - JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies N2 - Background: Telerehabilitation can contribute to the maintenance of successful rehabilitation regardless of location and time. The aim of this study was to investigate a specific three-month interactive telerehabilitation routine regarding its effectiveness in assisting patients with physical functionality and with returning to work compared to typical aftercare. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate a specific three-month interactive telerehabilitation with regard to effectiveness in functioning and return to work compared to usual aftercare. Methods: From August 2016 to December 2017, 111 patients (mean 54.9 years old; SD 6.8; 54.3% female) with hip or knee replacement were enrolled in the randomized controlled trial. At discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and after three months, their distance in the 6-minute walk test was assessed as the primary endpoint. Other functional parameters, including health related quality of life, pain, and time to return to work, were secondary endpoints. Results: Patients in the intervention group performed telerehabilitation for an average of 55.0 minutes (SD 9.2) per week. Adherence was high, at over 75%, until the 7th week of the three-month intervention phase. Almost all the patients and therapists used the communication options. Both the intervention group (average difference 88.3 m; SD 57.7; P=.95) and the control group (average difference 79.6 m; SD 48.7; P=.95) increased their distance in the 6-minute-walk-test. Improvements in other functional parameters, as well as in quality of life and pain, were achieved in both groups. The higher proportion of working patients in the intervention group (64.6%; P=.01) versus the control group (46.2%) is of note. Conclusions: The effect of the investigated telerehabilitation therapy in patients following knee or hip replacement was equivalent to the usual aftercare in terms of functional testing, quality of life, and pain. Since a significantly higher return-to-work rate could be achieved, this therapy might be a promising supplement to established aftercare. KW - telerehabilitation KW - home-based KW - total hip replacement KW - total knee replacement KW - exercise therapy KW - aftercare KW - rehabilitation Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2196/14236 SN - 2369-2529 VL - 6 IS - 2 PB - jmir rehab CY - Toronto ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wochatz, Monique A1 - Tilgner, Nina A1 - Mueller, Steffen A1 - Rabe, Sophie A1 - Eichler, Sarah A1 - John, Michael A1 - Völler, Heinz A1 - Mayer, Frank T1 - Reliability and validity of the Kinect V2 for the assessment of lower extremity rehabilitation exercises JF - Gait & posture N2 - Research question: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability of lower extremity kinematics during squat, hip abduction and lunge exercises captured by the Kinect and to evaluate the agreement to a reference 3D camera-based motion system. Methods: Twenty-one healthy individuals performed five repetitions of each lower limb exercise on two different days. Movements were simultaneously assessed by the Kinect and the reference 3D motion system. Joint angles and positions of the lower limb were calculated for sagittal and frontal plane. For the inter-session reliability and the agreement between the two systems standard error of measurement (SEM), bias with limits of agreement (LoA) and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (r) were calculated. Results: Parameters indicated varying reliability for the assessed joint angles and positions and decreasing reliability with increasing task complexity. Across all exercises, measurement deviations were shown especially for small movement amplitudes. Variability was acceptable for joint angles and positions during the squat, partially acceptable during the hip abduction and predominately inacceptable during the lunge. The agreement between systems was characterized by systematic errors. Overestimations by the Kinect were apparent for hip flexion during the squat and hip abduction/adduction during the hip abduction exercise as well as for the knee positions during the lunge. Knee and hip flexion during hip abduction and lunge were underestimated by the Kinect. Significance: The Kinect system can reliably assess lower limb joint angles and positions during simple exercises. The validity of the system is however restricted. An application in the field of early orthopedic rehabilitation without further development of post-processing techniques seems so far limited. KW - Reproducibility KW - Agreement KW - Markerless motion capture system KW - Telerehabilitation Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.03.020 SN - 0966-6362 SN - 1879-2219 VL - 70 SP - 330 EP - 335 PB - Elsevier CY - Clare ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Eichler, Sarah A1 - Rabe, Sophie A1 - Salzwedel, Annett A1 - Mueller, Steffen A1 - Stoll, Josefine A1 - Tilgner, Nina A1 - John, Michael A1 - Wegscheider, Karl A1 - Mayer, Frank A1 - Völler, Heinz T1 - Effectiveness of an interactive telerehabilitation system with home-based exercise training in patients after total hip or knee replacement: study protocol for a multicenter, superiority, no-blinded randomized controlled trial JF - Trials N2 - Background: Total hip or knee replacement is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures. Physical rehabilitation following total hip or knee replacement is an essential part of the therapy to improve functional outcomes and quality of life. After discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, a subsequent postoperative exercise therapy is needed to maintain functional mobility. Telerehabilitation may be a potential innovative treatment approach. We aim to investigate the superiority of an interactive telerehabilitation intervention for patients after total hip or knee replacement, in comparison to usual care, regarding physical performance, functional mobility, quality of life and pain. Methods/design: This is an open, randomized controlled, multicenter superiority study with two prospective arms. One hundred and ten eligible and consenting participants with total knee or hip replacement will be recruited at admission to subsequent inpatient rehabilitation. After comprehensive, 3-week, inpatient rehabilitation, the intervention group performs a 3-month, interactive, home-based exercise training with a telerehabilitation system. For this purpose, the physiotherapist creates an individual training plan out of 38 different strength and balance exercises which were implemented in the system. Data about the quality and frequency of training are transmitted to the physiotherapist for further adjustment. Communication between patient and physiotherapist is possible with the system. The control group receives voluntary, usual aftercare programs. Baseline assessments are investigated after discharge from rehabilitation; final assessments 3 months later. The primary outcome is the difference in improvement between intervention and control group in 6-minute walk distance after 3 months. Secondary outcomes include differences in the Timed Up and Go Test, the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test, the Stair Ascend Test, the Short-Form 36, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and postural control as well as gait and kinematic parameters of the lower limbs. Baseline-adjusted analysis of covariance models will be used to test for group differences in the primary and secondary endpoints. Discussion: We expect the intervention group to benefit from the interactive, home-based exercise training in many respects represented by the study endpoints. If successful, this approach could be used to enhance the access to aftercare programs, especially in structurally weak areas. KW - Telerehabilitation KW - Home-based KW - Total hip replacement KW - Total knee replacement KW - Exercise therapy KW - Aftercare Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-2173-3 SN - 1745-6215 VL - 18 PB - BioMed Central CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Eichler, Sarah A1 - Rabe, Sophie A1 - Salzwedel, Annett A1 - Müller, Steffen A1 - Stoll, Josefine A1 - Tilgner, Nina A1 - John, Michael A1 - Wegschneider, Karl A1 - Mayer, Frank A1 - Völler, Heinz T1 - Effectiveness of an interactive telerehabilitation system with home-based exercise training in patients after total hip or knee replacement BT - Study protocol for a multicenter, superiority, no-blinded randomized controlled trial JF - Trials N2 - Background Total hip or knee replacement is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures. Physical rehabilitation following total hip or knee replacement is an essential part of the therapy to improve functional outcomes and quality of life. After discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, a subsequent postoperative exercise therapy is needed to maintain functional mobility. Telerehabilitation may be a potential innovative treatment approach. We aim to investigate the superiority of an interactive telerehabilitation intervention for patients after total hip or knee replacement, in comparison to usual care, regarding physical performance, functional mobility, quality of life and pain. Methods/design This is an open, randomized controlled, multicenter superiority study with two prospective arms. One hundred and ten eligible and consenting participants with total knee or hip replacement will be recruited at admission to subsequent inpatient rehabilitation. After comprehensive, 3-week, inpatient rehabilitation, the intervention group performs a 3-month, interactive, home-based exercise training with a telerehabilitation system. For this purpose, the physiotherapist creates an individual training plan out of 38 different strength and balance exercises which were implemented in the system. Data about the quality and frequency of training are transmitted to the physiotherapist for further adjustment. Communication between patient and physiotherapist is possible with the system. The control group receives voluntary, usual aftercare programs. Baseline assessments are investigated after discharge from rehabilitation; final assessments 3 months later. The primary outcome is the difference in improvement between intervention and control group in 6-minute walk distance after 3 months. Secondary outcomes include differences in the Timed Up and Go Test, the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test, the Stair Ascend Test, the Short-Form 36, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and postural control as well as gait and kinematic parameters of the lower limbs. Baseline-adjusted analysis of covariance models will be used to test for group differences in the primary and secondary endpoints. Discussion We expect the intervention group to benefit from the interactive, home-based exercise training in many respects represented by the study endpoints. If successful, this approach could be used to enhance the access to aftercare programs, especially in structurally weak areas. KW - Telerehabilitation KW - Home-based KW - Total hip replacement KW - Total knee replacement KW - Exercise therapy KW - Aftercare Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-2173-3 SN - 1745-6215 VL - 18 SP - 1 EP - 7 PB - BioMed Central CY - London ER -