POV of feasibility and implementation of telerehabilitation model in community setting using Evolv Rehabkit

Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 29 January 2026

Tags: Community Health, Quality Of Life, Rehabilitative Care, Productivity, Cost Saving, Manhour Saving, Time Saving, Technology, Digital Health, Telehealth, Tele-Rehabilitation, Care Continuum, Care Process ＆ Redesign

About this Content

Aims

The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of delivering a tele-rehabilitation
program in a day rehabilitation centre in Singapore. We will focus on finding out the
acceptability of the tele-rehabilitation program to patients, caregivers and healthcare
professionals involved, as well as factors influencing the implementation ease.

Background

It has been well documented that hospital-based rehabilitation services are effective
ways of providing therapy in people with disabilities. However, factors such as costs
and manpower shortages, prevent such population from accessing such services.
Home-based telerehabilitation services has emerged as a promising alternative that
uses communication technology such as a mobile phone or tablet to provide costeffective and engaging exercises at home.
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptance of telerehabilitation in the
community through the collaboration between TTSH, HWA, HNF and Renci DRC.
The intervention aims to address challenges in conventional rehabilitation, such as
limited access to rehabilitation, poor exercise adherence and resource-intensive
face-to-face therapy by implementing a home-based therapy programme via the
EvolvRehab platform.

Methods

A total of ten participants were recruited and they underwent a 30-days
telerehabilitation programme with daily therapist-prescribed exercises and weekly
remote monitoring. Functional outcomes were assessed at baseline (Week 0), postintervention (Week 8), and follow-up (Week 18) using the Modified Barthel Index
(MBI), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and
grip strength. Participants usability and levels of engagement were evaluated using
the System Usability Scale (SUS) and Patient Reported Outcome Measures
(PROMS).

Results

At the follow-up stage, significant improvements in mean MBI (75.8 to 81.2, p =
0.019), BBS (33.3 to 38.0, p = 0.037), and hand grip strength (15.1kg to 18.0kg,
p=0.005) were observed. High exercise compliance with 90% of participants
completing at least 70% of exercise sessions for 20 minutes daily were also
observed. Lastly, PROMs revealed high levels of exercise engagement, with
participants finding the games challenging and enjoyable, although concerns
regarding costs were raised.

Conclusion

This study highlights the feasibility and benefits of gamified telerehabilitation in
improving mobility, balance, and strength in the community settings. High compliance
and engagement underline its potential and addresses usability concerns and
perceived value which is essential for broader adoption and scalability.

Lessons Learnt

Proper patient selection is important as a certain level of cognition and spatial
awareness is require in order to engage with the games and comply with the exercise
programme.

Keywords

therapy, exercises, remote monitoring, home-based

Innovators' Details

Connect with this contributor!

Ong Poo Lee - poolee.ong@nhghealth.com.sg

Project Attachment

817_TTSH_NTFHIP 2024_Acceptance and Implementation of Telerehabilitation.pdf