Telerehabilitation for Pain Management

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2021 May;32(2):355-372. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2021.01.002. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

Abstract

Telerehabilitation for pain management uses communication technology to minimize geographic barriers. Access to such technology has proven critically important during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic and has been useful for patients with chronic pain disorders unable to travel. The evaluation and treatment of such disorders requires a whole health approach that individualizes treatment options and delivers care through a biopsychosocial approach. The goals of care are unchanged from an in-person patient-provider experience. Telerehabilitation can be successfully implemented in pain management with appropriate consideration for staging an evaluation, a structured approach to the visit, and application of standard clinical metrics.

Keywords: Chronic pain; Opioids; Pain management; Patient-centered care; Telehealth; Telemedicine; Telerehabilitation; Whole health approach.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • Chronic Pain / drug therapy*
  • Chronic Pain / rehabilitation*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pandemics
  • Physical Examination
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Telemedicine / methods*