Teleassessment Methods in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

Especially in response to pandemics and technological advances, cardiopulmonary diseases, like other diseases, have increased the importance of teleassessment methods. Teleassessment applications have used various methods for data transfer, including messaging, videoconferencing, and artificial intelligence. The teleassessment focuses on methods to remove barriers to accessing healthcare services. Clinical applications include functional exercise capacity, cardiorespiratory responses, upper and lower limb function, and comprehensive questionnaires. Conducting physiotherapy assessments via teleassessment is valid and reliable for specific assessment methods in limited cardiopulmonary disease populations. More research is needed in all fields of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation to strengthen the evidence and expand teleassessment methods. Teleassessment methods have high patient engagement and satisfaction, supported by favorable outcomes in various cardiopulmonary diseases. Furthermore, digital health technologies such as wearable technologies and smartphone applications are increasingly used in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. However, the use of virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence cardiopulmonary teleassessment methods in cardiopulmonary physiotherapy is limited. Emerging technologies such as wearable devices, smartphone applications, and virtual and augmented reality have recently shown potential in cardiopulmonary teleassessment. Moreover, when using teleassessment methods in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, the requirements of the assessment method, patient preference, environment suitability, cost/financial adequacy, access/knowledge, and confidence in using technology should be considered. In this chapter, we will provide a comprehensive review of advances in teleassessment methods in cardiopulmonary diseases and their clinical applications in the literature.