Hybrid Telehealth Physical Therapy for Developmental Disabilities

Overseen By Jamie B Hall, PT, DPT, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Missouri-Columbia

Disqualifiers: Caregiver non-English speaking

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purposes of this study are to compare the impact of a hybrid of telehealth and in-person physical therapy services to in-person services alone on the in-home functional skills of children with moderate to severe disability. This is a mixed methods study.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Hybrid Telehealth Physical Therapy for Developmental Disabilities?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth, including digital physical therapy, was used to deliver services to children with developmental disorders, showing that it can be a viable way to provide therapy when in-person visits are not possible. Real-world experiences from therapists suggest that telehealth can be an effective tool in delivering physical therapy services. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is hybrid telehealth physical therapy safe for humans?

The research does not provide specific safety data for hybrid telehealth physical therapy, but it suggests that telehealth has been used to deliver physical therapy services during the COVID-19 pandemic without reported safety concerns. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

How is the Hybrid Telehealth Physical Therapy treatment different from other treatments for developmental disabilities?

Hybrid Telehealth Physical Therapy combines virtual sessions with in-person visits, offering flexibility and accessibility that traditional in-clinic therapy alone may not provide. This approach allows for continuity of care and personalized treatment plans, which can be particularly beneficial for children with developmental disabilities who may face challenges attending regular in-person sessions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 2-17 with moderate to severe disabilities whose families have the technology needed for telehealth and insurance that covers it. The child's caregiver must speak English.

Inclusion Criteria

Families have access to minimum technology necessary to participate in a telehealth visit

The child's insurance covers telehealth visits

The study is not for children under 2 years old or over 17 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

The person who will take care of you during the clinical trial does not understand English.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a hybrid of telehealth and in-person physical therapy services or in-person services alone

12 weeks

Combination of in-person and virtual visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in functional skills and satisfaction after the physical therapy episode

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Hybrid Telehealth
• In-Person Physical Therapy Services

Trial Overview The study compares a mix of remote (telehealth) and in-person physical therapy against only in-person therapy, focusing on how each affects kids' functional skills at home.

Hybrid Telehealth is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Telehealth Services for:

• General Physical Therapy Services
• Pediatric Physical Therapy

Approved in European Union as Virtual Physical Therapy for:

• General Physical Therapy Services
• Pediatric Physical Therapy

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Missouri-Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

629,000+

Findings from Research

A survey of 73 pediatric physical therapists revealed that most found telehealth easy to use and effective for delivering treatment, indicating its potential as a viable method for pediatric care.

The study identified three key themes for successful telehealth delivery: caregiver involvement, a well-equipped therapist toolbox for treatment and collaboration, and understanding the characteristics of the child client, which can help improve telehealth practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

COVID-19 Lessons From The Field: Toward A Pediatric Physical Therapy Telehealth Framework. Fishman, GD., Elkins, J.[2022]

A systematic review of 100 studies on telehealth in physical therapy revealed that most research focuses on musculoskeletal conditions, with Australia, Canada, and the US leading in published evidence.

Despite the growth in telehealth research, only 14% of studies utilized secure videoconferencing platforms, highlighting a gap in safety measures for delivering physical therapy services remotely.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of real-time videoconferencing to deliver physical therapy services: A scoping review of published and emerging evidence. Horsley, S., Schock, G., Grona, SL., et al.[2021]

Therapists found telehealth to be a practical option for delivering pediatric occupational and physical therapy, allowing them to continue services during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many seeing it as beneficial even after the pandemic ends.

Key barriers included the inability to perform hands-on assessments and the need for skill development in using telehealth, while facilitators included the convenience of seeing children in their home environments and families' positive perceptions of telehealth's usefulness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Another Tool in Your Toolkit": Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapists' Perspectives of Initiating Telehealth during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Wittmeier, KDM., Hammond, E., Tymko, K., et al.[2022]

A survey of 205 pediatric physical therapists revealed that 96% had never provided telehealth before the COVID-19 pandemic, yet over 35% transitioned 76% to 100% of their caseload to this model.

Despite limited training, most therapists found telehealth to be effective for both caregivers (90.3%) and children (77.1%), with 76.1% expressing interest in continuing telehealth services in the future.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adoption of Telehealth by Pediatric Physical Therapists During COVID-19: A Survey Study. Hall, JB., Luechtefeld, JT., Woods, ML.[2023]

Parents of children with developmental disorders reported mixed feelings about digital physical therapy during the COVID-19 lockdown, finding it a useful alternative but also challenging and sometimes inadequate.

Key barriers to effective implementation included difficulties in maintaining children's attention and the need for better training and resources, while facilitators included therapist adaptability and family support, suggesting that digital therapy could be a valuable complement to traditional methods in the future.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of digital physical therapy during COVID-19 lockdown in children with developmental disorders: A qualitative study. Portillo-Aceituno, A., Calderón-Bernal, A., Pérez-Corrales, J., et al.[2022]

High caregiver engagement and access to reliable technology were identified as the most critical factors for the effectiveness of telehealth services provided by pediatric physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study suggests that telehealth not only met immediate needs during the pandemic but also has the potential to be an effective service delivery model for pediatric physical therapy in the future.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pediatric Physical Therapy Telehealth and COVID-19: Factors, Facilitators, and Barriers Influencing Effectiveness-a Survey Study. Hall, JB., Woods, ML., Luechtefeld, JT.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

COVID-19 Lessons From The Field: Toward A Pediatric Physical Therapy Telehealth Framework. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of real-time videoconferencing to deliver physical therapy services: A scoping review of published and emerging evidence. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Another Tool in Your Toolkit": Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapists' Perspectives of Initiating Telehealth during the COVID-19 Pandemic. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adoption of Telehealth by Pediatric Physical Therapists During COVID-19: A Survey Study. [2023]

5. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of digital physical therapy during COVID-19 lockdown in children with developmental disorders: A qualitative study. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pediatric Physical Therapy Telehealth and COVID-19: Factors, Facilitators, and Barriers Influencing Effectiveness-a Survey Study. [2023]