Published online Jun 15, 2020. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v11.i6.218
Peer-review started: January 9, 2020
First decision: February 25, 2020
Revised: March 2, 2020
Accepted: April 18, 2020
Article in press: April 18, 2020
Published online: June 15, 2020
Diabetes has become an increasingly important health problem worldwide due to its prevalence. Although effective treatments for diabetes management have been developed, many patients have difficulty in achieving their therapeutic goals. Regular exercise training is suggested to prevent or delay the symptoms and complications of type 2 diabetes along with other medical treatments. It has become necessary to develop new rehabilitation models and practices in order to cope with the changing needs of the population. Treatment models using technology can be effective in disease management. Telerehabilitation may be effective as part of the rehabilitation program in the home environment, especially for patients who are unable to participate in conventional center-based rehabilitation due to transport difficulties or work resumption. Telerehabilitation is defined as the delivery of rehabilitation services via telecommunication technology, including phone, internet, and videoconference communications between the patient and health care provider. It is possible that telerehabilitation may benefit people with type 2 diabetes in similar ways with telemonitoring and interactive health communication systems. Although the applicability of telehealth methods has been proven in previous studies, telerehabi-litation studies in type 2 diabetes are inadequate in the literature. With larger, multi-centered randomized controlled studies, established clinical guidelines can be developed that will ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Core tip: Diabetes is a global burden that can have fatal consequences for human health and has a significant impact on healthcare system costs. Although effective treatments for type 2 diabetes have been developed, many patients have difficulty in achieving their therapeutic goals. Most of these problems are due to difficulties in patients reaching the relevant centers or the lack of care models. Telerehabilitation may be effective as part of the rehabilitation program in the home environment, especially for patients who are unable to participate in conventional center-based rehabilitation due to transport difficulties or work resumption.