Tele‑Physiotherapy Platforms: A Review

Physiotherapy has been a subject of research, targeting the facilitation of monitoring and remote assistance provided by the physiotherapist, whenever collocation of doctor and patient is not possible. This is known as tele‑physiotherapy, or tele‑rehabilitation. It has evolved significantly over the past few decades due to advancements in technology, but has also become a necessity during particular periods, for example, during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Initially, tele‑physiotherapy was mostly performed using video conferencing and mainstream telecommunication services; however, recent developments have seen the emergence of sophisticated tele‑physiotherapy platforms that integrate various technologies such as sensors, wearable devices, and digital health platforms. Moreover, the incorporation of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables real‑time analysis, treatment personalization, and the introduction of feedback mechanisms, thus improving the usability and efficiency of rehabilitation sessions. Tele‑physiotherapy solutions address the scope from a wide variety of aspects and demonstrate variable effectiveness. This review examines 19 studies and solutions and compares 14 of those proposals that offer a tele‑physiotherapy solution for patients. Although their services, complexity and functionality vary, the basic criterion for inclusion in the evaluation was that they offer a tele‑physiotherapy service as a part of their main scope. Some of those solutions are commercially available, some are at a research level, but all of them were primarily addressed from the aspect of usability.