Ethics and Equity Challenges in Telerehabilitation for Older Adults: Rapid Review
Abstract BackgroundThe integration of technology in rehabilitation is transforming health care delivery for older adults, especially through telerehabilitation, which addresses barriers to in-person care. ObjectiveThis rapid review explores the ethical and equity c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2025-08-01
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| Series: | JMIR Aging |
| Online Access: | https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e69660 |
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| author | Mirella Veras Louis-Pierre Auger Jennifer Sigouin Nahid Gheidari Michelle LA Nelson William C Miller Anne Hudon Dahlia Kairy |
| author_facet | Mirella Veras Louis-Pierre Auger Jennifer Sigouin Nahid Gheidari Michelle LA Nelson William C Miller Anne Hudon Dahlia Kairy |
| author_sort | Mirella Veras |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
BackgroundThe integration of technology in rehabilitation is transforming health care delivery for older adults, especially through telerehabilitation, which addresses barriers to in-person care.
ObjectiveThis rapid review explores the ethical and equity concerns associated with telerehabilitation for older adults, focusing on challenges such as internet access, technology adoption, and digital literacy.
MethodsConducted according to Cochrane Rapid Review guidelines, this review used the Metaverse Equitable Rehabilitation Therapy framework, focusing on equity and ethics. Studies included telerehabilitation services for adults aged 55 years and older, published between 2010 and 2023. Screening was conducted independently by 2 researchers using Rayyan (Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University), with full-text review by additional team members. Searches were performed in Medline and CINAHL
ResultsFrom 323 papers retrieved, 49 studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies were published between 2013 and 2023. Disparities in socioeconomic status, geographic location, and racial and ethnic backgrounds were found to impact telerehabilitation use. Additionally, ethical concerns around privacy, security, and autonomy were often inadequately addressed.
ConclusionsThis review emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate, accessible, and inclusive telerehabilitation services that integrate ethical and equity considerations into their design and delivery. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a60afb68c51b4e43be0ce4d4d2ffc3d5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2561-7605 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Aging |
| spelling | doaj-art-a60afb68c51b4e43be0ce4d4d2ffc3d52025-08-20T20:43:23ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Aging2561-76052025-08-018e69660e6966010.2196/69660Ethics and Equity Challenges in Telerehabilitation for Older Adults: Rapid ReviewMirella Verashttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-4124-1543Louis-Pierre Augerhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-1897-6338Jennifer Sigouinhttp://orcid.org/0009-0000-4970-0727Nahid Gheidarihttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-9623-7712Michelle LA Nelsonhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-2002-0298William C Millerhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3060-0210Anne Hudonhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-7259-0343Dahlia Kairyhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-6872-6607 Abstract BackgroundThe integration of technology in rehabilitation is transforming health care delivery for older adults, especially through telerehabilitation, which addresses barriers to in-person care. ObjectiveThis rapid review explores the ethical and equity concerns associated with telerehabilitation for older adults, focusing on challenges such as internet access, technology adoption, and digital literacy. MethodsConducted according to Cochrane Rapid Review guidelines, this review used the Metaverse Equitable Rehabilitation Therapy framework, focusing on equity and ethics. Studies included telerehabilitation services for adults aged 55 years and older, published between 2010 and 2023. Screening was conducted independently by 2 researchers using Rayyan (Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University), with full-text review by additional team members. Searches were performed in Medline and CINAHL ResultsFrom 323 papers retrieved, 49 studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies were published between 2013 and 2023. Disparities in socioeconomic status, geographic location, and racial and ethnic backgrounds were found to impact telerehabilitation use. Additionally, ethical concerns around privacy, security, and autonomy were often inadequately addressed. ConclusionsThis review emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate, accessible, and inclusive telerehabilitation services that integrate ethical and equity considerations into their design and delivery.https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e69660 |
| spellingShingle | Mirella Veras Louis-Pierre Auger Jennifer Sigouin Nahid Gheidari Michelle LA Nelson William C Miller Anne Hudon Dahlia Kairy Ethics and Equity Challenges in Telerehabilitation for Older Adults: Rapid Review JMIR Aging |
| title | Ethics and Equity Challenges in Telerehabilitation for Older Adults: Rapid Review |
| title_full | Ethics and Equity Challenges in Telerehabilitation for Older Adults: Rapid Review |
| title_fullStr | Ethics and Equity Challenges in Telerehabilitation for Older Adults: Rapid Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ethics and Equity Challenges in Telerehabilitation for Older Adults: Rapid Review |
| title_short | Ethics and Equity Challenges in Telerehabilitation for Older Adults: Rapid Review |
| title_sort | ethics and equity challenges in telerehabilitation for older adults rapid review |
| url | https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e69660 |
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