Idiopathic scoliosis: summer telerehabilitation supported by inertial sensors. A feasibility study

P. Patanè,¹ L. Guardamagna,² M. Bavado,³ M. Febbi,⁴ L. Pedrotti,^2,5 D. Silvestri,⁶ F. Gervasoni,^7,8 L. Marin^1-4 | ¹Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Italy; ²Laboratory for Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Clinical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy; ³Department of Rehabilitation, “Città di Pavia” Healthcare Institute, Pavia, Italy; ⁴Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic; ⁵Department of Pediatric Diagnostic Surgical Clinical Science, Section of Pathologies of the Musculoskeletal System, Orthopedics Unit, University of Pavia, Italy; ⁶Asomi College of Science, School of Medicine, Swieqi, Malta; ⁷District Municipality 2, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy; ⁸Industrial Engineering PhD Program, Industrial Engineering Technologies for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy

Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis often interrupt physiotherapy during summer holidays, compromising treatment continuity. Asynchronous telerehabilitation (ATR) may address this issue while resolving privacy and device availability conflicts typical of synchronous modalities. Five adolescents (14-18 years) with idiopathic scoliosis performed ten home-based exercise sessions using KARI (Euleria Health, Trento, Italy), a Class 1m medical device featuring a tablet, triaxial inertial sensor, and remote monitoring platform. After initial in-person training, patients exercised independently following video tutorials with real-time biofeedback. Adherence, perceived enjoyment with the Feeling Scale (FS: −5 to +5), and technology acceptance with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) were assessed. Mean adherence was 85%±12.91%, with individual rates ranging 70-100%. FS score was +1.73±0.59, indicating a consistent positive experience. TAM results showed high perceived ease of use (5.00±1.45, up to 7), perceived usefulness (4.44±0.92, up to 7), and favorable attitudes toward technology (4.80±1.00, up to 7), though intention to use showed moderate scores (3.92±0.95, up to 7). ATR with inertial sensors proved feasible and well-accepted for maintaining scoliosis exercise programs during summer. High adherence and positive feedback support its integration into conservative treatment protocols, though larger studies are needed to assess clinical effectiveness.