Current Evidence on Telerehabilitation for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Scoping Review of Physical Function and Functional Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65761/pjcr.2026.3.1.32Keywords:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Telerehabilitation, Telemedicine, Physical Therapy Modalities, Activities of Daily LivingAbstract
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with declining physical function, respiratory impairment, and increasing rehabilitation needs. Telerehabilitation has emerged as an innovative approach to improve access to rehabilitation services while overcoming mobility-related barriers. This scoping review synthesized current evidence regarding the effects of telerehabilitation on physical function and functional outcomes in patients with ALS.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases. Studies evaluating telerehabilitation interventions targeting physical and functional outcomes in ALS were included. Data were extracted and narratively synthesized across thematic domains, including physical function, activities of daily living, feasibility, adherence, safety, and patient satisfaction.
Results: Eight studies involving 146 participants met the eligibility criteria. Interventions included aerobic exercise, inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscle training, stretching exercises, comprehensive physical therapy, and multidisciplinary home-based rehabilitation delivered through synchronous and asynchronous telehealth platforms. High adherence rates (81.5%–127%) and low attrition were consistently reported. Respiratory interventions demonstrated significant improvements in inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength, whereas several studies reported stabilization of functional decline and preservation of activities of daily living. Patient satisfaction was uniformly favorable despite occasional technological limitations affecting intervention delivery.
Conclusion: Telerehabilitation appears to be a feasible, safe, and clinically valuable strategy for maintaining functional outcomes in ALS. Future large-scale randomized studies are warranted to establish standardized intervention protocols, evaluate long-term clinical effectiveness, and optimize telehealth implementation across diverse healthcare settings.
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