Prerequisites and barriers to telerehabilitation in patients with neurological conditions: A narrative review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A field of study that uses telerehabilitation (TR) is neurorehabilitation; however, standards for medical and technological applications, medicolegal and ethical regulations, and other aspects of neuro-TR are still being developed. OBJECTIVE: To address the prerequisites and barriers for implementing TR in neurorehabilitation in the light of present findings. METHODS: A narrative review was conducted based on specific questions about the prerequisites for neuro-TR and barriers to its implication. According to a foreground search strategy in the context of neurorehabilitation using TR in neurological patient population, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched and reviewed. RESULTS: Barriers and prerequisites for neuro-TR were mostly grouped under the categories of administrative/organizational, human (beneficiaries/providers), technical, and ethical. Apart from the technical framework, knowledge and the presence of an administrative leader responsible for overseeing TR are crucial prerequisites. The internet and technological constraints rank highest among the barriers. CONCLUSION: Since neuro-TR is relatively new with minimal guidelines and regulations, highly technologic, and lack of established practices, it is imperative to determine and fully comprehend the criteria for its uses. After the prerequisites are established, it is imperative to recognize and address implementation constraints, which may differ depending on the community’s infrastructure and neurologic condition.