Articles In Press
Back to the articles list |
Back to browse issues page
1- Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Basic Medicals, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria , waleoshomoji@student.oauife.edu.ng
2- Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Basic Medicals, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
2- Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Basic Medicals, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Abstract: (240 Views)
Background and Aims: This systematic review evaluates the impact of community-based physiotherapy programs on the management of chronic diseases in rural areas. The study included 11 articles examining various chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and persistent low back pain. The evidence indicates that these programs substantially improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare utilization, and are cost-effective.
Materials and Methods: The review analyzed data from 11 articles focused on managing chronic diseases through community-based physiotherapy programs. It assessed their effectiveness in rural populations across conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and persistent low back pain. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines for conducting and reporting systematic reviews.
Results: The findings suggest that community-based physiotherapy programs significantly improve health outcomes, decrease healthcare utilization, and are economically viable. However, barriers such as a shortage of physiotherapists, financial constraints, and cultural differences limit widespread implementation. The potential role of telehealth in expanding the reach of these services was also highlighted, although challenges related to internet access and digital literacy remain.
Conclusion: Future research should aim to address these barriers, explore long-term effects, and develop culturally tailored interventions to enhance the effectiveness of physiotherapy programs in rural settings. Policy recommendations include increasing financial support, facilitating the recruitment of physiotherapists, and integrating telehealth into rural healthcare delivery systems.
Keywords: Physical Therapy Modalities, Chronic Disease, Rural Health Services, Telemedicine, Healthcare Disparities, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Quality of Life, Rural Population, Pain Management
Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
Health Improvement Strategies
Received: 2025/02/15 | Accepted: 2025/07/27 | Published: 2025/08/8
Received: 2025/02/15 | Accepted: 2025/07/27 | Published: 2025/08/8
References
1. Rajan P. Community physiotherapy or community-based physiotherapy. Health Promot Perspect. 2017;7(2):50-1. [DOI:10.15171/hpp.2017.10] [PMID] [PMCID]
2. Disler R, Glenister K, Wright J. Rural chronic disease research patterns in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand: a systematic integrative review. BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):770. [DOI:10.1186/s12889-020-08912-1] [PMID] [PMCID]
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COPD Urban-Rural Differences. Published by Rural Health. 2024. Available from: [https://www.cdc.gov/rural-health/php/public-health-strategy/public-health-considerations-for-chronic]
4. An Z, Li K, Yang X, Ke J, Xu Y, Zhang X, et al. Community-based rehabilitation services implemented by multidisciplinary teams among adults with stroke: a scoping review with a focus on Chinese experience. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1):740. [DOI:10.1186/s12889-024-18218-1] [PMID] [PMCID]
5. Chen X, Orom H, Hay JL, Waters EA, Schofield E, Li Y, et al. Differences in Rural and Urban Health Information Access and Use. J Rural Health. 2019;35(3):405-17. [DOI:10.1111/jrh.12335] [PMID] [PMCID]
6. Damery S, Flanagan S, Combes G. Does integrated care reduce hospital activity for patients with chronic diseases? An umbrella review of systematic reviews. BMJ Open. 2016;6(11):e011952. [DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011952] [PMID] [PMCID]
7. Ibrahim AA, Akindele MO, Ganiyu SO. Effectiveness of patient education plus motor control exercise versus patient education alone versus motor control exercise alone for rural community-dwelling adults with chronic low back pain: a randomised clinical trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023;24(1):142. [DOI:10.1186/s12891-022-06108-9] [PMID] []
8. Dugani SB, Mielke MM, Vella A. Burden and management of type 2 diabetes in rural United States. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2020;37(5):e3410. [DOI:10.1002/dmrr.3410] [PMID] [PMCID]
9. Riley WJ. Health disparities: gaps in access, quality and affordability of medical care. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2012;123:167-74. [PMID] [PMCID]
10. Smith N, Radwan H, Petro H, Ibe P, Fain E. Impact of Physical and Occupational Therapy Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Receiving Treatment in a Pro-Bono Clinic A Pilot Study. J Best Pract Health Prof Divers. 2019;12(1):58-71.
11. Hayden JA, Ellis J, Ogilvie R, Malmivaara A, van Tulder MW. Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;9(9):Cd009790. [DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD009790.pub2] [PMID] [PMCID]
12. Wan CS, Mitchell J, Maier AB. A Multidisciplinary, Community-Based Program to Reduce Unplanned Hospital Admissions. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2020;22(6):1331-e1. [DOI:10.1016/j.jamda.2020.09.034] [PMID]
13. ShahAli S, Shahabi S, Etemadi M, Hedayati M, Anne BC, Mojgani P, et al. Barriers and facilitators of integrating physiotherapy into primary health care settings: A systematic scoping review of qualitative research. Heliyon. 2023;9(10):e20736. [DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20736] [PMID] [PMCID]
14. Graham LJ. Community Physiotherapy and Chronic Disease Self-Management for Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The University of Western Ontario (Canada); 2014. Available from: [https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/2025/]
15. Manjarres-Posada N, Onofre-RodrÃguez DJ, Benavides-Torres RA. Social cognitive theory and health care: Analysis and evaluation. Int'l J Soc Sci Stud. 2020;8:132. [DOI:10.11114/ijsss.v8i4.4870]
16. Khodaveisi M, Azizpour B, Jadidi A, Mohammadi Y. Education based on the health belief model to improve the level of physical activity. Phys Act Nutr. 2021;25(4):17-23. [DOI:10.20463/pan.2021.0022] [PMID] [PMCID]
17. Grudniewicz A, Gray CS, Boeckxstaens P, De Maeseneer J, Mold J. Operationalizing the Chronic Care Model with Goal-Oriented Care. Patient. 2023;16(6):569-78. [DOI:10.1007/s40271-023-00645-8] [PMID] [PMCID]
18. Amin S, Abrazado M, Quinn M, Storer TW, Tseng CH, Cooper CB. A controlled study of community-based exercise training in patients with moderate COPD. BMC Pulm Med. 2014;14:125. [DOI:10.1186/1471-2466-14-125] [PMID] [PMCID]
19. Farquhar E, Moran A, Schmidt D. Mechanisms to achieve a successful rural physiotherapy public-private partnership: a qualitative study. Rural Remote Health. 2020;20(3):5668. [DOI:10.22605/RRH5668] [PMID]
20. Falvey JR, Krafft C, Kornetti D. The Essential Role of Home- and Community-Based Physical Therapists During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Phys Ther. 2020;100(7):1058-61. [DOI:10.1093/ptj/pzaa069] [PMID] [PMCID]
21. Adams R, Jones A, Lefmann S, Sheppard L. Rationing is a reality in rural physiotherapy: a qualitative exploration of service level decision-making. BMC Health Serv Res. 2015;15:121. [DOI:10.1186/s12913-015-0786-3] [PMID] []
22. Roots RK, Brown H, Bainbridge L, Li LC. Rural rehabilitation practice: perspectives of occupational therapists and physical therapists in British Columbia, Canada. Rural Remote Health. 2014;14:2506. [DOI:10.22605/RRH2506] [PMID]
23. Haleem A, Javaid M, Singh RP, Suman R. Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sens Int. 2021;2:100117. [DOI:10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117] [PMID] [PMCID]
24. Islam KF, Awal A, Mazumder H, Munni UR, Majumder K, Afroz K, et al. Social cognitive theory-based health promotion in primary care practice: A scoping review. Heliyon. 2023;9(4):e14889. [DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14889] [PMID] [PMCID]
25. Towne Jr SD, Smith ML, Ahn S, Ory MG. The reach of chronic-disease self-management education programs to rural populations. Front Public Health. 2014;2:172. [DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2014.00172] [PMID] [PMCID]
26. Seron P, Oliveros MJ, Gutierrez-Arias R, Fuentes-Aspe R, Torres-Castro RC, Merino-Osorio C, et al. Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation in Physical Therapy: A Rapid Overview. Phys Ther. 2021;101(6):pzab053. [DOI:10.1093/ptj/pzab053] [PMID] [PMCID]
27. Cederbom S, Leveille SG, Bergland A. Effects of a behavioral medicine intervention on pain, health, and behavior among community-dwelling older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Interv Aging. 2019;14:1207-20. [DOI:10.2147/CIA.S208102] [PMID] [PMCID]
28. Brigo E, Rintala A, Kossi O, Verwaest F, Vanhoof O, Feys P, et al. Using Telehealth to Guarantee the Continuity of Rehabilitation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(16):10325. [DOI:10.3390/ijerph191610325] [PMID] [PMCID]
29. Ferrari A, Bacco M, Gaber K, Jedlitschka A, Hess S, Kaipainen J, et al. Drivers, barriers and impacts of digitalisation in rural areas from the viewpoint of experts. Inf Softw Technol. 2022;145:106816. [DOI:10.1016/j.infsof.2021.106816]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |