February 22, 2026

@michaelokun

Can we bring Parkinson’s physical therapy into the living room? A new telerehabilitation feasibility trial says YES. Telerehabilitation refers to delivering therapy remotely using video calls and technology so folks can receive care directly in their homes. Skelly and colleagues describe in a new paper in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease how individualized real time physiotherapy delivered via videoconference may improve activity and motor outcomes in early Parkinson’s. Key points: – Individualized telerehabilitation delivered by video was feasible, w/ 80% of participants completing the intervention. About 90% of study assessments also completed. – Motor symptoms improved in the telerehabilitation group, w/ UPDRS scores improving while the usual care group worsened over six months. – Physical activity increased in the telerehabilitation group, w/ rising weekly step counts while the usual care group declined over the same period. My take: Telemedicine physical therapy has the potential to offer a powerful option for delivering Parkinson’s care. PT and exercise are both 'medicines,' however access barriers frequently stand in the way. Bringing physiotherapy directly into the home may empower folks earlier in the disease and may help preserve mobility, confidence and independence. It may also trigger more consistent use of daily exercise programs. Here are 5 points that resonated w/ me: 1- Exercise guidance can now reach folks directly in their homes w/o travel burden. 2- Personalized real time physiotherapy appears feasible even early after diagnosis. 3- Remote therapy may help improve motor symptoms and daily movement levels. 4- Many folks found video sessions acceptable and valued interaction w/ physiotherapists. 5- The future may include hybrid care models combining in person and home based telemedicine rehabilitation. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1877718X261418551 #parkinson #michaelokun #fixelinstitute