Impact of a Telerehabilitation Program With Technology Enhancement on Post-burn Recovery

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of participating in a tele-rehabilitation program after a burn.

Condition

  • Burns

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 79 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Adults: ≥18 to ≤79 years of age - Not participating in another interventional trial - Admitted to the Blocker Burn Unit for treatment of initial burn - Subject is able and willing to follow the protocol requirements - Burn wound / scar / contracture occurring across at least one joint. - Has regular access to smart phone, tablet, or computer with internet access.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator or physician, would place the subject at increased risk for participation. - Concurrent participation on another interventional clinical trial - History of prior non-compliance or the presence or history of psychiatric condition (including drug or alcohol addiction) that would, in the opinion of the investigator, make it difficult for the subject to comply with the study procedures or follow the investigators instructions. - Patients without internet access.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
A Standard of Care group (SOC)
Participants will receive standard of care education by the physical or occupational therapist regarding performance of the prescribed movements prior to discharge. Participants will complete the study about 6 months after discharge.
  • Other: Tele-Rehabilitation
    Technology will be used to enhance rehabilitation.
Experimental
A Standard of Care group (SOC) combined with technology enhancement
Participants will receive standard of care education by the physical or occupational therapist regarding performance of the prescribed movements prior to discharge. Participants will undergo additional training in the use of a goniometer to measure range of motion at home and record the measurement once a week for 6 months. Participants will engage in 4 virtual sessions as well as wear a Fitbit
  • Other: Tele-Rehabilitation
    Technology will be used to enhance rehabilitation.

Recruiting Locations

University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, Texas 77555
Contact:
Celeste Finnerty, PhD
409-772-1011
ccfinner@utmb.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

Study Contact

Celeste Finnerty, PhD
(409)772-1011
ccfinner@utmb.edu

Detailed Description

This is a prospective single center randomized trial comparing a traditional approach to physical therapy to a technology-enhanced approach following a burn. We hypothesize that with the implementation of a novel telerehabilitation program incorporating technology enhancement, range of motion and quality of life can be improved. To test the hypothesis in future grant applications, this pilot study will be used to determine feasibility, collect preliminary data, vet endpoints, and gain patient feedback. To achieve these necessary goals, we will compare two methods of supporting home performance of prescribed physical and occupational therapy: Standard (S): patients will be equipped with paper instructions for their physical therapy exercises; and Technology-Enhanced (TE) support: patients will be given paper instructions, set up with a habit and productivity application (Avocation) that gamifies tasks and tracks achievements, a Fitbit activity tracker, a logbook, and have virtual movement therapy once weekly with an exercise physiologist for a total of four weeks. Specific Aim 1: To determine whether range of motion is altered with TE. Range of motion in the affected joint(s) will be measured by goniometry (self-reported by patient and measured by study staff in the clinic) Specific Aim 2: To determine whether TE with prescribed movement affects scar, pain, and quality of life.