BACKGROUND: Social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many children with neurodevelopmental disorders from accessing face-to-face treatments. Telerehabilitation grew at this time as an alternative therapeutic tool. In this study we analysed remote cognitive rehabilitation in neurodevelopmental disorders.
METHODS: This was a prospective, quasi-experimental (before-after) study that included 22 patients (mean age 9.41 years) with neurodevelopmental disorders who had telerehabilitation for over six months.
RESULTS: After six months of telerehabilitation, a statistically significant improvement was found with a large effect size in these areas: attention (sustained, selective and divided), executive functions (verbal and visual working memory, categorisation, processing speed), visuospatial skills (spatial orientation, perceptual integration, perception, simultanagnosia) and language (comprehensive and expressive). On the Weiss Functional Impairment Scale, all areas (family, learning and school, self-concept, activities of daily living, risk activities) improved with statistical significance. We found a positive correlation between the number of sessions and the improvement observed in executive functions (visual working memory, processing speed), attention (sustained attention, divided attention) and visuospatial skills (spatial orientation, perceptual integration, perception, simultanagnosia). We did not find statistical significance between the family structure and the number of sessions carried out. A high degree of perception of improvement and satisfaction was observed in the parents.
CONCLUSIONS: Telerehabilitation is a safe alternative tool which, although it does not replace face-to-face therapy, can achieve significant cognitive and functional improvements in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) is the most common cause of end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), conditioning these patients to a worse renal prognosis and higher cardiovascular mortality and/or requirement for renal replacement therapy. The use of novel information and communication technologies (ICTs) focused on the field of health, may facilitates a better quality of life and disease control in these patients. Our objective is to evaluate the effect of monitoring DKD patients using NORA-app.
METHODS: Prospective feasibility/validation study of NORA-app in patients with DKD stage G3bA3 or higher, followed in outpatient clinics of a tertiary care hospital. NORA-app is an application for smartphones designed to control risk factors, share educational medical information, communicate via chat with health professionals, increase treatment compliance (Morisky-Green), and collect patient reported outcomes such as anxiety and depression using HADs scale. Clinical-laboratory variables were collected at 3 months and compared to control patients who declined using NORA-app.
RESULTS: From 01/01/2021 to 03/03/2022 the use of NORA-app was offered to 118 patients, 82 accepted and 36 declined (controls). After a mean follow-up period of 6,04 months and at the time of data extraction 71 (86.6%) NORA-app patients remain active users, 2 have completed the follow-up at one year and 9 are inactive (3 due to death and 6 due to non-locatable). There were no differences in baseline characteristics including Creatinine [2.1 (1.6-2.4) vs. 1.9 (1.5-2.5)] mg/dL and alb/creat [962 (475-1784) vs. 1036 (560-2183)] mg/gr between Nora and control patients respectively. The therapeutic compliance rate in the NORA-app group was 77%, improving at 90 days to 91%. Patients in the NORA-group showed significantly lower levels of alb/creat than controls (768(411-1971) mg/g Vs 2039 (974-3214) p = 0.047) at 90-day follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DKD the use of NORA-app was maintained in the long-term, leading to high levels of treatment compliance, and achieving a better disease control. Our study suggests that the generalized use of ICTs may help in the personalized monitoring of these patients to delay the progression of kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: There is growing interest in the potential of telemedicine (TM) as an alternative to physical consultation. Although numerous studies prove the benefits of TM in rheumatology, there are no recommendations on its implementation in Spain. The aim of this study was to analyze the application of TM in rheumatology consultations in Spain.
METHODS: Qualitative, cross-sectional, multicenter study with Delphi methodology in two rounds of queries. A structured ad hoc questionnaire was designed that included statements on teleconsultation, nursing teleconsultation, telecare, telerehabilitation, teleradiology, telehealth tele-education, main barriers, advantages and disadvantages of telehealth tele-education and TM in rheumatoid arthritis. The participants were rheumatology specialists practicing in Spain.
RESULTS: The participating rheumatologists (N = 80) had a mean age of 42.4 (±9.0) years, with 12.6 (±8.4) years of experience. Some of the aspects of TM that obtained the greatest consensus were: TM is useful for follow-up of some patients, to help determine if a face-to-face consultation is necessary, or to assist patients with rheumatoid arthritis if they present low activity or in remission; certain patients, such as those in their first consultation or those who present digital barriers or cognitive deterioration, should be seen face-to-face; TM presents some technical and patient access barriers; TM can be useful in nursing and in continued medical education.
CONCLUSIONS: TM can be beneficial for the treatment and follow-up of patients with rheumatic diseases, as well as for alleviating the face-to-face care burden in rheumatology.

OBJECTIVE: The multiparametric implantable cardioverter-defibrillator HeartLogic index has proven to be a sensitive and timely predictor of impending heart failure (HF) decompensation. We evaluated the impact of a standardized follow-up protocol implemented by nursing staff and based on remote management of alerts.
METHODS: The algorithm was activated in HF patients at 19 Spanish centers. Transmitted data were analyzed remotely, and patients were contacted by telephone if alerts were issued. Clinical actions were implemented remotely or through outpatient visits. The primary endpoint consisted of HF hospitalizations or death. Secondary endpoints were HF outpatient visits. We compared the 12-month periods before and after the adoption of the protocol.
RESULTS: We analyzed 392 patients (aged 69±10 years, 76% male, 50% ischemic cardiomyopathy) with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (20%) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (80%). The primary endpoint occurred 151 times in 86 (22%) patients during the 12 months before the adoption of the protocol, and 69 times in 45 (11%) patients (P<.001) during the 12 months after its adoption. The mean number of hospitalizations per patient was 0.39±0.89 pre- and 0.18±0.57 postadoption (P<.001). There were 185 outpatient visits for HF in 96 (24%) patients before adoption and 64 in 48 (12%) patients after adoption (P<.001). The mean number of visits per patient was 0.47±1.11 pre- and 0.16±0.51 postadoption (P<.001).
CONCLUSIONS: A standardized follow-up protocol based on remote management of HeartLogic alerts enabled effective remote management of HF patients. After its adoption, we observed a significant reduction in HF hospitalizations and outpatient visits.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with multiple short- and long-term complications including depression, and cognitive impairment (CI). However, older adults with CI after COVID-19 have not been fully documented.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cognitive function in Mexican adults post-recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
METHODS: In this prospective observational cohort study, we assess cognitive function (CF) by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test with a cut-off less than 26 points, and functional status via telemedicine. Eligible patients with a history of moderate-severe COVID-19 aged ≥60 years, cognitively healthy (evaluated by Everyday Cognition Scale) and required admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) were included. Patients with history of dementia, stroke, and delirium during the cognitive evaluation were excluded. The association between CI and COVID-19 was assessed with a Cox regression model.
RESULTS: From the 634 patients admitted to the ICU, 415 survived, afterward 308 were excluded and 107 were analyzed. Mean age was 70 years, 58% were female, and 53% had severe COVID. The mean MoCA score was 21±5 points, CI was present in 61 patients (57%). Infection severity (RR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.11-3.15, p<0.05), lower education (RR 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87-0.97, p<0.01), and activity daily living disability (RR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.07-3.26, p<0.05) were the main factors associated with CI (unadjusted model by age and sex). The delayed recall, orientation, and language (83.2, 77.6 and 72.9% respectively) domains were the most affected in patients with CI.
CONCLUSIONS: Fifty-seven percent of patients analyzed developed CI six months post-ICU discharge due to SARS-CoV-2, and COVID severity was the main factor associated to its outcome.

BACKGROUND: Reliable assessment of individuals with Parkinson\'s disease (PD) is essential for providing adequate treatment. Clinical assessment is a complex and time-consuming task, especially for bradykinesia, since its evaluation can be influenced by the degree of experience of the examiner, patient collaboration and individual bias. Improvement of the clinical evaluation can be obtained by considering assessments from several professionals. However, this is only true when inter and intra-rater agreement are high. Recently, the Movement Disorder Society highlighted, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to develop and validate technologies for remote assessment of the motor status of people with PD. Thus, this study introduces an objective strategy for the remote evaluation of bradykinesia using multi-specialist analysis.
METHODS: Twelve volunteers with PD participated and these were asked to execute finger tapping, hand opening/closing and pronation/supination movements. Each task was recorded and rated by fourteen PD health experts for each patient. The scores were assessed on an individual basis. Intra and inter-rater agreement and correlation were estimated.
RESULTS: The results showed that agreements and correlations between experienced examiners were high with low variability. In addition, group analysis was noted as possessing the potential to solve individual inconsistency bias.
CONCLUSIONS: Furthermore, this study demonstrated the need for a group with prior training and experience, along with indicating the importance for the development of a clinical protocol that can use telemedicine for the evaluation of individuals with PD, as well as the inclusion of a specialized mediating group. In Addition, this research helps to the development of a valid remote assessment of bradykinesia.

Teleconsultation is a remote health consultation using information and communication technologies. There are different modalities and specific practical and communication skills are required. Notwithstanding its prominence in Spain, there is little evidence on teleconsultation. This article explores the applicability, barriers, facilitators and future challenges of teleconsultation. While it has the potential to improve access to healthcare, as well as save time and costs for both patients and healthcare professionals, it faces a number of challenges such as the digital divide and resistance to change. To address new challenges and overcome obstacles, it is crucial to gain the trust of patients and professionals. Improving training in the skills required to optimize their use is also essential. Future research should aim to provide robust evidence regarding safety and cost-effectiveness to ensure successful implementation.

BACKGROUND: Innovation in internet connectivity and the Covid 19 pandemic have caused a dramatic change in the management of patients in the medical field, boosting the use of telemedicine. A comparison of clinical outcomes and satisfaction between conventional face-to-face and telemedicine follow-up in general surgery, an economic evaluation is mandatory. The aim of the present study was to compare the differences in economic costs between these two outpatient approaches in a designed randomized controlled trial (RCT).
METHODS: A RCT was conducted enrolling 200 patients to compare conventional in-person vs. digital health follow-up using telemedicine in the outpatient clinics in patients of General Surgery Department after their planned discharge. After a demonstration that no differences were found in clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, we analyzed the medical costs, including staff wages, initial investment, patent\'s transportation and impact on social costs.
RESULTS: After an initial investment of 7527.53€, the costs for the Medical institution of in-person conventional follow-up were higher (8180.4€) than those using telemedicine (4630.06€). In relation to social costs, loss of productivity was also increased in the conventional follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of digital Health telemedicine is a cost-effective approach compared to conventional face-to-face follow-up in patients of General Surgery after hospital discharge.

BACKGROUND: Given the growing increase in dementia, the need to control these patients, together with the rise of new technologies, makes a change in the current control system imperative.
METHODS: We have carried out a single-center, clinical study with two groups, a control group of 72 patients/caregivers, who followed the usual controls in consultations, and another telematic group of 76 patients/caregivers, who followed the controls through of the Tecuide platform. The platform had a survey part to detect problems in patients and caregiver claudication, another training part and another chat for direct communication when the caregiver needed it and also served to respond when a problem was detected.
RESULTS: After a year of monitoring with the platform we have obtained: a)in patients, reduce behavioral disorders and use of drugs, increase physical exercise and delay institutionalization (DS not found); b)in caregivers there is an improvement in satisfaction with respect to the control of patients with cognitive impairment, and c)in terms of resources, visits to emergency services and dementia consultations have decreased, although admissions to the psychogeriatric unit have increased.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of Tecuide as a telematic tool in the control of patients with cognitive impairment does not seem to be inferior to the usual controls in consultations and improves caregiver satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical, quality of life, and healthcare quality outcomes obtained in a series of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), who were empowered and monitored using the AVIP application. These results will be compared with a control group followed through a standard protocol.
METHODS: Randomized clinical trial with parallel groups involving patients with an indication for THA. Clinical variables were measured and compared using the WOMAC and mHHS, pain assessed by the VAS, quality of life with the SF-12 test. Walking capabilities were analyzed using the Functional Gait Assessment Scale, along with satisfaction levels assessed through the SUCE questionnaire, and perceived anxiety levels related to the process.
RESULTS: A total of 68 patients were evaluated, with 31 patients in the AVIP group and 33 in the Control group completing the follow-up. Both groups demonstrated improvement in clinical outcomes based on the WOMAC and mHHS hip tests, a reduction in perceived pain, and an enhancement in quality of life according to the SF-12 test. Patients in the AVIP study group exhibited non-inferiority in clinical outcomes and satisfaction compared to the control group, as well as lower anxiety levels and improved walking capabilities after the first month of follow-up. Notably, 82.25% of the follow-up visits for this group were conducted remotely.
CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a mHealth application like AVIP can be safely offered to selected patients undergoing hip arthroplasty, enabling effective monitoring and providing continuous information and training.