Specialized Telerehabilitation Approaches for People with Disabilities

Telerehabilitation, a subcomponent of telehealth, provides rehabilitation between the person and clinician through information and communication technology (ICT). While telerehabilitation is described as the transference of rehabilitation instrumentations over long spaces by using electronic ICT, it increases continuity in participation in physiotherapy and rehabilitation practices. Technologies used in telerehabilitation include image-based, sensor-based, virtual reality-based, and virtual environments. Image-based telerehabilitation includes video conferencing platforms for modules such as counseling, physical assessment, and training. Sensor-based telerehabilitation includes applications that monitor and evaluate body movements. Virtual reality or game-based telerehabilitation involves using games and virtual reality-based technologies that provide realistic interaction for rehabilitation intervention. Telerehabilitation can be applied in various departments, such as rehabilitating neurological, orthopedic, pulmonary, pediatric, and cardiac disabilities. Telerehabilitation is a concept that can provide significant advantages for disabled individuals, especially in terms of accessibility and sustainability.