title: Physical outcome measurements via the Internet: reliability at two Internet speeds.
abstract: We have developed a software application to enable interactive rehabilitation via the Internet. The reliability of the telemedicine application was examined by comparing it with face-to-face assessment. The physical outcome measures assessed were knee range of motion, quadriceps muscle strength, limb girth and an assessment of gait. One therapist performed both in-person and Internet-based measurements of all outcome measures on 20 normal subjects. There was good agreement between the two techniques (the 95% limits of agreement included zero for all the variables studied). Internet assessments were conducted at two bandwidths: ISDN at 128 kbit/s and the telephone network at 17 kbit/s. Bandwidth had no significant influence on any of the measures. This study suggests that Internet-based physiotherapy interventions delivered to the home are suitable for further development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Trevor G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wootton
authors.forename: Gwendolen A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jull