Physical Medicine

DRPM plus pulmonary rehabilitation is feasible but increases clinician workload

In a single‑centre cluster RCT, adding daily digital remote patient monitoring (DRPM) to standard pulmonary rehabilitation met feasibility benchmarks with 90% adherence during PR. Retention at 12‑week follow‑up was 68% and all participants would recommend DRPM. However, PR staff spent an additional 45 minutes per participant managing DRPM alerts, increasing workload substantially. Before scaling or testing effectiveness in a larger trial, expect to redesign workflows and resources to manage alert burden. 1

Community ExWell group exercise linked to functional and quality‑of‑life gains

In a prospective cohort of 1289 adults (mean age 69) in a community group exercise programme, participants improved BMI, gait speed, timed tests, and health‑related quality of life over 24 weeks. Higher programme adherence correlated with larger gains, while grip strength, pain, and smoking did not change. No randomized comparator limits causal inference, so view association as supportive rather than definitive. 2

Multidisciplinary and vestibular+subthreshold aerobic therapy best for sport‑related concussion

Network meta‑analysis of 20 RCTs (n=1320) found multidisciplinary rehabilitation produced the largest symptom and recovery improvements (SMDs favoring active rehab). Combined vestibular rehabilitation plus subthreshold aerobic exercise and vestibular therapy alone also improved outcomes, especially in patients <30 years and those with persistent symptoms. Risk of bias was mostly low, but trials varied in populations and interventions, so tailor therapy to symptom profile and patient age. 3