Affiliations: [a]
Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
| [b] Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia
| [c]
Department of Physical Therapy, Deanship of Quality and Academic Accreditation, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| [d] Deanship of Quality and Academic Accreditation, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| [e] M Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia
| [f] Physiotherapist, Lecardia Prime Care Centre, Pudu, Malaysia
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Vinosh Kumar Purushothaman, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, INTI International University, Malaysia. E-mail: vinosh.purushotha@newinti.edu.my.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:The global implementation of full-time telework became widespread during the new normal conditions following the pandemic, resulting in reduced physical activity (PA) among teleworkers and young adults. It is vital to comprehend how telehealth interventions favorably impact PA levels and overall well-being of young adults who face increasingly blurred boundaries between work and home life. OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study is to examine the effect of telerehabilitation (TR) on PA levels and quality of life (QoL) in young adult teleworkers. METHODS:A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 82 teleworkers (54 females and 28 males). Levels of PA and QoL were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL-14) questionnaire. TR was provided to all participants for four weeks, three times a week, for 40 minutes per session. Levels of PA and QoL were evaluated at baseline and after four weeks of the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS:After four weeks of TR, there has been a significant improvement in the scores of IPAQ and HRQOL-14 (p < 0.05). In regards to IPAQ-SF results, TR had a significant effect on the sitting or sedentary behavior of the teleworkers. CONCLUSION:The results showed that a short-term TR intervention improved both the level of PA and QoL in young adult teleworkers. Therefore, TR may be an effective treatment approach to improve PA and QoL and promote a healthy lifestyle in teleworkers.
Keywords: Tele commuter, remote rehabilitation, exercise, healthy lifestyle, health risk, public health
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230745
Journal: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1557-1565, 2024
