Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Expand Accessibility and Improve Precision in Rehabilitation and Exercise for People with Disabilities

T. Bradley Willingham (), Julie Stowell, George Collier and Deborah Backus
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T. Bradley Willingham: Shepherd Center, Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
Julie Stowell: Shepherd Center, Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
George Collier: Shepherd Center, Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
Deborah Backus: Shepherd Center, Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 1, 1-28

Abstract: Physical rehabilitation and exercise training have emerged as promising solutions for improving health, restoring function, and preserving quality of life in populations that face disparate health challenges related to disability. Despite the immense potential for rehabilitation and exercise to help people with disabilities live longer, healthier, and more independent lives, people with disabilities can experience physical, psychosocial, environmental, and economic barriers that limit their ability to participate in rehabilitation, exercise, and other physical activities. Together, these barriers contribute to health inequities in people with disabilities, by disproportionately limiting their ability to participate in health-promoting physical activities, relative to people without disabilities. Therefore, there is great need for research and innovation focusing on the development of strategies to expand accessibility and promote participation in rehabilitation and exercise programs for people with disabilities. Here, we discuss how cutting-edge technologies related to telecommunications, wearables, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing are providing new opportunities to improve accessibility in rehabilitation and exercise for people with disabilities. In addition, we highlight new frontiers in digital health technology and emerging lines of scientific research that will shape the future of precision care strategies for people with disabilities.

Keywords: digital health; mHealth; mRehab; mobility impairment; chronic conditions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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