A recent study exploring the use of telehealth to enhance access to physiotherapy for individuals in residential and home-aged care across regional Australia has demonstrated significant benefits. The research has shown that telehealth interventions can improve participants' mobility, reduce pain, and decrease the number of falls, ultimately enhancing their overall quality of life.

Dr. Rik Dawson, a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health at the University of Sydney, conducted the study as part of his PhD research. Dr Dawson, who is also the president-elect of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, led the project known as the Top Up study. An Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia grant funded this six-month research project.

The Top Up study involved both residential and home-aged care recipients who participated in seven telehealth physiotherapy sessions conducted via Zoom. In addition to the live sessions, participants were provided with online resources to support a progressive program aimed at improving strength, balance, and mobility. The program, which was prescribed by physiotherapists, focused on exercises designed to be performed while standing.

Dr. Dawson recently presented the findings of the study at the Australian Association of Gerontology Conference in Hobart. Speaking to the Australian Ageing Agenda (AAA) on the final day of the conference, he emphasised the positive outcomes of the study, both from a clinical and a user-experience perspective.

"Number one, we showed that telephysiotherapy in aged care is safe, and importantly, that participants actually liked using telehealth," Dr. Dawson remarked.

The key findings of the study include:

• Safety and satisfaction: The use of telehealth was found to be safe for aged care recipients, with participants expressing positive feedback about using the telehealth platform and enjoying the exercise videos.
• Clinical improvements: From a research perspective, the study showed statistically significant improvements in participants' mobility, a reduction in falls, decreased pain levels, and an enhancement in overall quality of life.

Dr Dawson also shared insights for aged care providers, noting the importance of integrating telehealth into existing care models to provide more accessible and effective physiotherapy services.