Exploring the link between clinical, cognitive status, and telerehabilitation experiences in multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Evaluating the opinions of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) about telerehabilitation services and investigating them in detail about their clinical and cognitive status is important for determining and discussing the expectations related to telerehabilitation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the opinions of patients with MS about telerehabilitation services and to correlate these opinions with the clinical and cognitive status of the individuals in question.

METHODS

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 101 individuals with MS. All participants were evaluated with the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq), Telemedicine Patient Questionnaire (TPQ), Telemedicine Satisfaction and Usefulness Questionnaire (TSUQ), Telerehabilitation Beliefs Questionnaire (TBF).

RESULTS

TPQ was weakly correlated with MSIS-29 Physical (r = -0.249, p < 0.05), MSIS-29 Psychological (r = -0.339, p < 0.001) and CRIq-Education (r = 0.257, p < 0.001). TSUQ was only weakly correlated with CRIq-Education (r = 0.205, p < 0.05). TBF was weakly correlated with MSIS-29 Psychological (r = -0.209, p < 0.05), CRIq-Education (r = 0.344, p < 0.001), CRIq-Work (r = 0.242, p < 0.05) and CRIq-Total (r = 0.260, p < 0.001). There was a weak positive correlation between TBF and the participant's age (r = 0.219, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The views of individuals with MS on telerehabilitation were mostly related to psychological and cognitive (education-related) parameters. Age, educational status, and psychological level should be considered during telerehabilitation services in people with MS.