RehabMove 2018: ACTIVITY AND MOBILITY USING TECHNOLOGY (AMOUNT) REHABILITATION TRIAL- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITY PHASE INTERVENTION

PURPOSE: To describe technology use and physiotherapy support provided to participants to improve
mobility and physical activity in the community phase of the AMOUNT trial.
METHODS: Process evaluation including participants (mean age 70 (SD18)) randomised to the
intervention group (n=149). Intervention was additional to standard rehabilitation, prescribed using a
protocol which matched games/exercises from eight technologies to the participant’s mobility limitations.
Technologies included video and computer games/exercises, tablet applications and activity monitors.
Participants were taught to use the technologies during inpatient rehabilitation and were then discharged
home to use the technologies ≥ 5 days a week for the remainder of the 6-month trial. Trial protocol required
the physiotherapist to provide support every 1–2 weeks using a health coaching approach. Intervention
datasheets were audited to determine technology use and frequency, duration, mode and type of support
provided.
RESULTS: Participants used an average of 2 (SD 1) technologies with 98% participants using an activity
monitor. Physiotherapists had contact with participants on average 15 (SD 5) times (approximately every
11 days), consisting of 6 (SD 3) home visits (46 min duration), 8 (SD 4) phone calls (8 min duration) and
1 other (email, video conference, hospital) type of contact. Contact primarily incorporated health coaching
(68%) with 8% for technology support. Topics discussed during health coaching included discussing data
from prescribed technologies (79%), physical activity and mobility status (70%) and adherence (64%).
CONCLUSIONS: Technologies to support ongoing exercise are likely to become increasingly important
as the proportion of older people in the population increases and rehabilitation resources become limited.
A health coaching model to support technology use post hospitalisation is feasible. Some support can be
provided remotely limiting the need for frequent home visits.