A scoping review of the benefits and challenges of mHealth for clinical decision-making in neuro-physiotherapy

K.M. Shalabi, H.M. Sayed, S.H. Pakkir Mohamed, R.M. Basuodan, W.S. Alahmari, S.A. Shaik

College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. kmshalabi@pnu.edu.sa

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• Neurology
• Physical Therapy

OBJECTIVE: Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have emerged as promising tools in the field of neuro-physiotherapy, offering innovative solutions for enhancing clinical decision-making processes. This scoping review explores the existing literature on the use of mHealth applications in neuro-physiotherapy with a specific focus on their impact on clinical decision-making.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases were comprehensively searched for both qualitative and quantitative peer-reviewed articles written in the English language and published till 2023 that focus on mHealth applications in neuro-physiotherapy and clinical decision-making.

RESULTS: The key findings from the 14 included studies highlighted the diverse array of mHealth applications employed in neuro-physiotherapy, ranging from wearable sensors and mobile apps to virtual reality platforms. Synthesis of the evidence from these studies demonstrated the potential of these technologies in clinical decision-making and improving patient outcomes, patients’ and therapists’ perspectives of these applications, their clinical clues, and the challenges with their use.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings from the review underscore the need for continued exploration of these technologies to optimize their effectiveness in rehabilitation settings and ultimately improve clinical decision-making and patient care in neuro-physiotherapy.

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