A study has highlighted the potential of remote assessment to extend the reach of clinical care, allowing clinicians to monitor mobility from home-based settings.
Published in Age and Ageing, this study by AFI members A/Prof Kim van Schooten, Prof Kim Delbaere and colleagues (NeuRA and UNSW) investigated whether standard physical function tests can be reliably administered through telehealth. Thirty-seven community-living older people (average age 75) completed five common tests, i.e. the five-times sit-to-stand (5STS), Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), standing balance, 4-metre walk, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), both at home via telehealth and in-person in the clinic.
Remote testing proved safe, feasible, and well accepted, with no adverse events and only minor technical issues. Several older people had to be excluded because they were unable to attend the clinic but were willing to complete the remote assessments, demonstrating how telehealth can improve access and equity in functional assessment.
The 5STS and TUG tests showed good agreement between settings, supporting their use for remote monitoring of lower-limb strength and mobility. The standing balance test also showed good agreement but limited sensitivity across settings. Walking speed and overall SPPB scores showed greater variability, suggesting that small changes should be interpreted with caution.
Lead author A/Prof van Schooten noted that telehealth offers clinicians a safe and practical way to assess strength, balance, and mobility in older people who cannot attend the clinic.
“This study supports the integration of telehealth-based functional testing into clinical and rehabilitation practice, particularly for patients with mobility, transport, or geographic barriers. These findings suggest that remote assessment can extend the reach of clinical care, allowing clinicians to monitor mobility safely and effectively from home-based settings.”