The Effectiveness of Exercise Physiology Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pragmatic Cohort Study

Patrick J Owen; Shelley E Keating; Christopher D Askew; Kelly M Clanchy; Paul Jansons; Ralph Maddison; Andrew Maiorana; Jenna McVicar; Suzanne Robinson; Christopher Neason; Matthew J Clarkson; Niamh L Mundell

doi:10.1186/s40798-022-00539-3

The Effectiveness of Exercise Physiology Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pragmatic Cohort Study

Sports Med Open. 2023 Jan 8;9(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00539-3.

Authors

Patrick J Owen¹, Shelley E Keating², Christopher D Askew^{3

4}, Kelly M Clanchy^{5

6}, Paul Jansons^{7

8}, Ralph Maddison⁷, Andrew Maiorana^{9

10}, Jenna McVicar⁷, Suzanne Robinson^{11

12}, Christopher Neason^{7

13}, Matthew J Clarkson¹⁴, Niamh L Mundell⁷

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia. [email protected].
² School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
³ VasoActive Research Group, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
⁴ Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Birtinya, QLD, Australia.
⁵ School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
⁶ Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
⁷ Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
⁸ Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
⁹ Allied Health Department, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
¹⁰ Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
¹¹ Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
¹² Deakin Health Economics, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
¹³ Better Exercise Physiology, Healesville, VIC, Australia.
¹⁴ Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic markedly changed how healthcare services are delivered and telehealth delivery has increased worldwide. Whether changes in healthcare delivery borne from the COVID-19 pandemic impact effectiveness is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effectiveness of exercise physiology services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 138 clients who received exercise physiology services during the initial COVID-19 pandemic. Outcome measures of interest were EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS, patient-specific functional scale, numeric pain rating scale and goal attainment scaling.

Results: Most (59%, n = 82) clients received in-person delivery only, whereas 8% (n = 11) received telehealth delivery only and 33% (n = 45) received a combination of delivery modes. Mean (SD) treatment duration was 11 (7) weeks and included 12 (6) sessions lasting 48 (9) minutes. The majority (73%, n = 101) of clients completed > 80% of exercise sessions. Exercise physiology improved mobility by 14% (β = 0.23, P = 0.003), capacity to complete usual activities by 18% (β = 0.29, P < 0.001), capacity to complete important activities that the client was unable to do or having difficulty performing by 54% (β = 2.46, P < 0.001), current pain intensity by 16% (β = - 0.55, P = 0.038) and goal attainment scaling t-scores by 50% (β = 18.37, P < 0.001). Effectiveness did not differ between delivery modes (all: P > 0.087).

Conclusions: Exercise physiology services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic improved a range of client-reported outcomes regardless of delivery mode. Further exploration of cost-effectiveness is warranted.

Keywords: Coronavirus; Rehabilitation; Telehealth; Telemedicine; eHealth.

Abstract

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