Using e-Health in the physical therapeutic care process for patients with temporomandibular disorders: a qualitative study on the perspective of physical therapists and patients

• Published in: Disability and rehabilitation Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. 617 - 624
• Main Authors: van der Meer, Hedwig A., de Pijper, Leonie, van Bruxvoort, Thijs, Visscher, Corine M., Nijhuis-van der Sanden, Maria W. G., Engelbert, Raoul H. H., Speksnijder, Caroline M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 13-02-2022
• Subjects: e-Health; Humans; orofacial pain; Physical Therapists; Physical Therapy Modalities; Qualitative Research; qualitative study; Telemedicine; temporomandibular disorder; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - therapy; thematic analysis; orofacial pain; qualitative study; thematic analysis; e-Health; temporomandibular disorder
• ISSN: 0963-8288; 1464-5165
• DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1775900

Treatment of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) currently consists of a combination of noninvasive therapies and may be supported by e-Health. It is, however, unclear if physical therapists and patients are positive towards the use of e-Health.
To assess the needs, facilitators and barriers of the use of an e-Health application from the perspective of both orofacial physical therapists and patients with TMD.
A descriptive qualitative study was performed. Eleven physical therapists and nine patients with TMD were interviewed using a topic guide. Thematic analysis was applied, and findings were ordered according to four themes: acceptance of e-Health, expected utility, usability and convenience.
Physical therapists identified the need for e-Health as a supporting application to send questionnaires, animated exercises and evaluation tools. Key facilitators for both physical therapists and patients for implementing e-Health included the increase in self-efficacy, support of data collection and personalization of the application. Key barriers are the increase of screen time, the loss of personal contact, not up-to-date information and poor design of the application.
Physical therapists and patients with TMD are positive towards the use of e-Health, in a blended form with the usual rehabilitation care process for TMD complaints.
Implications for rehabilitation
The rehabilitation process of temporomandibular complaints may be supported by the use of e-Health applications.
Physical therapists and patients with temporomandibular disorders are positive towards the use of e-Health as an addition to the usual care.
Especially during the treatment process, there is a need for clear animated videos and reminders for the patients.