Table 1.
Characteristics of the included articles
| Author(s) | Date | Aim | Country origin | Design | Total N | Physical condition |
| Al Rajeh et al15 | 2019 | Explore the use of telehealth and assess the perceptions of clinicians employing telehealth and specifically alarm settings on technology. | UK | Cross-sectional | 65 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| Amatya et al26 | 2015 | Investigate the effectiveness and safety of telerehabilitation. | Europe and USA | Systematic review | 564 | Multiple sclerosis |
| Anton et al17 | 2018 | Develop and examine the Kinext Telerehabilitation System for physical conditions. | Spain and Australia | Feasibility | 18 | Shoulder disorder; hip replacement |
| Block et al27 | 2016 | Perform a systematic review of studies using remote physical activity monitoring in neurological diseases. | USA | Systematic review | 943 | Neurological diseases |
| Calvaresi et al18 | 2019 | Examine the feasibility of using artificial intelligence for telerehabilitation. | Italy | Mixed-methods | 10 | General physical conditions |
| GiesbrechtandMiller22 | 2019 | Evaluate the effect of a mHealth wheelchair skills training programme on clinical outcomes among older adult manual wheelchair clients. | Canada | RCT | 18 | Physical disability needing wheelchair |
| Grau-Pellicer et al23 | 2020 | Investigate the effectiveness of a mHealth app. | Spain | RCT | 41 | Ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke |
| Guerra de Oliveira Gondim et al24 | 2017 | Evaluate the effects of individualised orientation and monitoring by telephone in a self-supervised home therapeutic exercise programme on signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and quality of life. | Brazil | RCT | 28 | Parkinson’s disease |
| Hasenohrl et al19 | 2020 | Assess the feasibility and acceptance of orthopaedists prescribing individualised therapeutic exercises via a smartphone app to patients. | Austria | Qualitative | 27 | Back pain |
| Levac et al20 | 2018 | Develop and conduct a usability evaluation of the Fun, Interactive Therapy Board (FITBoard), a movement toy for children with disabilities. | USA | Observational | 7 | General movement conditions |
| Teleswallowing Ltd31 | 2020 | Provide evidence-based guidance on designing and establishing telerehabilitation services for dysphagia. | UK | Guidance | N/A | Dysphagia |
| Mani et al28 | 2017 | Systematically explore and summarise the validity and reliability of a telerehabilitation-based physiotherapy assessment. | Malaysia | Systematic review | NS | MSK conditions |
| Middleton et al16 | 2020 | Describe the process and cost of delivering a synchronous telehealth exercise programme. | USA | Observational | 1 | Stroke, hypertension and diabetes |
| Paneroni et al21 | 2015 | Test the feasibility, adherence and satisfaction of a home-based reinforcement telerehabilitation programme. | Italy | Observational | 36 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| Charted Society of Physiotherapy33 | 2020 | Provide guidance for physiotherapists on digital tools to support service delivery. | UK | Guidance | N/A | General physical conditions |
| Charted Society of Physiotherapy32 | 2020 | Provide guidance for physiotherapists on telephone triage of patients with musculoskeletal conditions. | UK | Guidance | N/A | MSK conditions |
| Charted Society of Physiotherapy34 | 2020 | Provide practical advice for physiotherapists and support workers to implement remote consultations. | UK | Guidance | N/A | General physical conditions |
| Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists36 | 2020 | Provide brief tips for telerehabilitation implementation revolved around security. | UK | Guidance | N/A | General physical conditions |
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust37 | 2020 | Provide brief tips for telerehabilitation implementation for dysphagia. | UK | Guidance | N/A | Dysphagia |
| Venkataraman et al25 | 2016 | Compare Berg Balance Scale ratings using videos with differing transmission characteristics with direct in-person rating. | USA | Psychometrics study | 45 | General motor control condition |
| NI Health and Social Care Board NI30 | 2020 | Amalgamate evidence and guidance on the conduct of virtual consultations so that it is easily accessible for AHPs. | UK | Guidance | N/A | General physical conditions |
| AHPScot29 | 2020 | Guide AHPs in NHS Scotland during remote consultations (telephone or video) with MSK patients during the current COVID-19 pandemic. | UK | Guidance | N/A | MSK conditions |
| Royal College of Occupational Therapists35 | 2020 | Guide occupational therapists regarding implementation of virtual assessments and reviews. | UK | Guidance | N/A | General physical conditions |
Guidance documents are highlighted in grey and systematic review articles are highlighted in yellow.
AHPs, allied health professionals; MSK, musculoskeletal; N/A, not applicable; NHS, National Health Service; NI, Northern Ireland; NS, not specified; RCT, randomised controlled trial.