Home-Based Physiotherapy for Older Adults: An EvidenceBased Review of Effectiveness, Functional Outcomes, and Health System Implications
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Abstract
This evidence-based review, supported by a systematic literature search, examines the
scientific evidence on home-based physiotherapy for older adults, focusing on clinical effectiveness,
functional impact, and implications for health systems. The analysis included 30 high-relevance
studies published between 2016 and 2026, comprising randomized controlled trials, systematic re
views, and meta-analyses. The findings demonstrate that home-based physiotherapy programs, in
cluding telerehabilitation modalities, are effective in improving functional mobility, reducing falls,
decreasing hospitalizations, and enhancing quality of life across diverse older populations. These
populations include post-stroke patients, frail older adults, individuals with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure, as well as those undergoing post-surgical recovery.
Evidence indicates that home-based physiotherapy interventions are cost-effective and can signifi
cantly reduce health service utilization, with estimated savings ranging from USD 123,500 to USD
1.6 million for every 100 older adults at high risk of falls. Telerehabilitation emerges as a particularly
promising modality, demonstrating non-inferiority or superiority compared with traditional in-per
son rehabilitation, alongside high patient satisfaction and strong potential for scalability within
health systems.
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