TechnoRehabLab²: A rehabilitation research centre to improve the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis in a low-income country, a proof of concept in Burundi

Summary

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee is a leading cause of disability among the elderly, with prevalence rates that increase significantly with age. While non-pharmacological and non-operative management options are increasingly being recommended as a first-line strategy for initial treatment, the feasibility and effectiveness of rehabilitation and exercise interventions for OA in Burundi and other low-income countries remain unknown. This project therefore aims to improve rehabilitation services for patients with hip or knee OA in Burundi through the use of affordable and portable technologies such as mobile health (mHealth), serious games, and remote wearable sensors. The project will develop a TechnoRehabLab² in an existing rehabilitation centre, which will use technology to support physiotherapists and provide personalized rehabilitation to patients. The project will also involve a comprehensive training program for healthcare professionals, research to determine the local effectiveness of the new interventions, and policy support from local ministries. The project will collect data on the acceptance and clinical efficacy of the new technology through questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews. The research team will use participatory methods to establish patient-centred care that takes into account local specificities. The development of this centre will improve the management of OA in Burundi and aims to improve motor functioning, independence, and quality of life of these patients. The centre will also be used for research purpose to increase the local level of scientific research and evidence associated with these new interventions in the context of low- and middle-income countries.

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