Effectiveness of telerehabilitation to improve motor capacity in patients with lower limb amputation: A systematic review

Le résumé fourni par la source

Lower limb amputation affects mobility, balance, and independence, limiting quality of life. Although effective, traditional rehabilitation is often inaccessible because of geographic and financial barriers. Telerehabilitation offers a promising alternative by improving gait, strength, and patient engagement. However, variability in protocols and outcome measures hinders standardization, requiring further research to establish best practices and long-term efficacy. This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024593498). Studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar using a predefined Boolean search. Filters included full-text availability, human subjects, English language, and clinical trials published between 2014 and 2024. Eligible studies focused on exercise-based telerehabilitation for people with lower limb amputation (≥18 years). Four randomized controlled trials, including a total of 215 participants with lower limb amputation, were included. The primary outcome was walking capacity (2- or 6-minute walk test). Motor capacity was mainly assessed through walking-based outcomes, including walking distance and functional endurance, with some studies also assessing balance-related performance. Telerehabilitation shows comparable functional outcomes to conventional physiotherapy and consistent benefits in engagement and confidence in people with lower limb amputations, whereas uncertainty remains regarding superiority and long-term functional effectiveness.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.