Is telehealth an effective and feasible option for improving falls-related outcomes in community-dwelling adults with neurological conditions? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective To determine the effectiveness of telehealth interventions in reducing community falls risk or rates compared to equivalent in-person interventions in adults with neurological conditions. Data Sources Eight electronic databases, trial registries and search engines were searched for the concepts ‘falls’, ‘neurological conditions’, and ‘telehealth’, limited to English language, from inception until August 2022. Review methods Search for original research where the intervention was delivered via synchronous videoconferencing with the aim of reducing falls and falls-related outcomes. Screening and risk of bias assessment were completed by two independent researchers. Outcome data included falls rates, falls-related outcomes, safety, feasibility, and acceptability. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROB-2 and ROBINS-I tools. Quality of evidence was rated with the grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results Seventeen studies with 581 participants were included; six were randomised controlled trials. Risk of bias ranged from low to high. Only one study ( n = 76) reported falls and did not find differences between telehealth and in-person physiotherapy. There was low-quality evidence that telehealth interventions improve balance outcomes more than face-to-face interventions (pooled between-group mean difference 2.48 Berg Balance Scale units, 95%CI 0.77 to 4.20). Fear of falling was not different between intervention delivery modes. Conclusion Findings suggest that telehealth delivered falls prevention interventions are safe, feasible and acceptable in community-dwelling adults with neurological conditions, however, data related to effectiveness in reducing falls is limited. Low-quality evidence suggests that telehealth may deliver similar or better outcomes for standing balance in this population. PROSPERO Registration: (CRD42021240167).