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Telerehabilitation for Improving Adaptive Skills of Children and Young Adults with Multiple Disabilities: a Systematic Review

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Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of telerehabilitation (TR) interventions on children and young adults with multiple disabilities (MDs). This review aimed to (a) examine the effectiveness of telerehabilitation (TR) on adaptive skills that have been targeted for intervention, (b) describe the type of devices used in the intervention procedures, (c) summarize the outcomes, and (d) examine the consumer/professional satisfaction of TR. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Results suggested that TR is an effective tool in improving the adaptive skills of children and young adults with MDs. Boh consumers and professionals reported high levels of satisfaction and acceptance of TR services. Trends across different types of devices implemented in TR programs are considered and recommendations are made for future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Bivona, 98122, Messina, Italy

    Tindara Caprì & Rosa Angela Fabio

  2. Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychological, Educational and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Via Concezione, 6, 98122, Messina, Italy

    Andrea Nucita & Giancarlo Iannizzotto

  3. Giustino Fortunato University of Benevento, Benevento, Italy

    Fabrizio Stasolla

  4. Movement Analysis and Robotics Laboratory (MARLab), Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy

    Alberto Romano

  5. Centro AIRETT Ricerca e Innovazione (CARI), Research and Innovation Airett Center, Verona, Italy

    Martina Semino & Samantha Giannatiempo

  6. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy

    Virginia Canegallo

Authors
  1. Tindara Caprì
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  2. Andrea Nucita
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  3. Giancarlo Iannizzotto
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  4. Fabrizio Stasolla
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  6. Martina Semino
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  7. Samantha Giannatiempo
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  8. Virginia Canegallo
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  9. Rosa Angela Fabio
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Contributions

Rosa Angela Fabio had the idea for the article; Tindara Caprì, Andrea Nucita, Giancarlo Iannizzotto, and Rosa Angela Fabio performed the literature search and data analysis; Fabrio Stasolla, Martina Semino, Alberto Romano, Virginia Canegallo, and Samantha Giannatiempo drafted and critically revised the work.

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Correspondence to Tindara Caprì.

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Caprì, T., Nucita, A., Iannizzotto, G. et al. Telerehabilitation for Improving Adaptive Skills of Children and Young Adults with Multiple Disabilities: a Systematic Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 8, 244–252 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-020-00214-x

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