A compliance and satisfaction with home exercise: a comparison of computer-assisted video instruction and routine rehabilitation practice

Abstract

Computerized educational technology, in various forms, is permeating the health care setting, and clinicians and program managers are charged with evaluating its potential to improve patient health outcomes. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to compare two alternative methods of therapeutic exercise instruction in a sample of orthopedic rehabilitation patients (n = 40). The traditional (control) group received routine inpatient rehabilitation exercise education from physical therapists (using demonstrations, verbal feedback, and written materials), and the technology (intervention) group received routine care as described plus one additional therapeutic session in which a customized set of exercises was downloaded from a computerized database to videotape by each patient's therapist and given to the patient for continued use at home. Data on patient compliance and patient satisfaction were collected at patient discharge and at four-week follow-up using a questionnaire designed specifically for this study. Analysis of results showed no significant differences in patient compliance or patient satisfaction between the two study groups. Results of this randomized trial suggest that computerized patient education technology may not provide the benefits anticipated.