Telerehabilitation Market

Market Overview

The global telerehabilitation market size was valued at USD 4.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 15.5 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 13.7% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The rising frequency of chronic diseases, the growing older population, and the increasing demand for remote patient monitoring are the primary market drivers driving Telerehabilitation market growth.

Telerehabilitation, often known as telerehabilitation or remote rehabilitation, delivers rehabilitation services via telecommunications technologies. This strategy enables patients to receive therapy sessions, consultations, and monitoring remotely, frequently from the comfort of their own homes. Telerehabilitation includes a variety of rehabilitation disciplines, such as physical treatment, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation.

The increase in demand for mobile technologies, the adoption of home care by patients, and the decrease in hospital visits are projected to drive market expansion in the following years. Furthermore, smartphones and mobile technologies enable clinical and lifestyle applications to assist, educate, and modify health behaviors. The adoption of telerehabilitation services by the older population is increasing as the prevalence of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis rises, driving market growth. Furthermore, increased government funding for healthcare infrastructure will drive market expansion. Furthermore, growing awareness of telerehabilitation contributes to the market's growth. 

However, developing countries' weak infrastructure and technological barriers may impede market expansion. In contrast, the significant development potential of developing nations is expected to create a favorable telerehabilitation market opportunity for market growth.

Highlights

• Software accounts for the largest share of the market by component.
• Clinical Therapy generates the highest revenue share based on services.
• Physical Therapy is a significant contributor to the market by Therapy.
• Orthopedics influenced the market by application.

Market Dynamics

Global Telerehabilitation Market Drivers:

Rising Aging Population

The world's aging population is generating demand for rehabilitative services. Telerehabilitation gives older persons better access to therapy sessions without the need for repeated visits to healthcare facilities. Additionally, telerehabilitation can help older people keep their independence, manage chronic diseases, and improve their quality of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global population aged 60 and up is anticipated to double by 2050, reaching roughly 2.1 billion. As people age, they become increasingly susceptible to chronic diseases, disabilities, and injuries that necessitate rehabilitation treatments to retain functional independence and quality of life.

As people age, the prevalence of chronic disorders like stroke, osteoarthritis, Parkinson's disease, and cardiovascular disease increases. These disorders frequently necessitate ongoing rehabilitation to alleviate symptoms, increase mobility, and avoid future functional impairment. Strokes are the most significant cause of long-term impairment in older persons. The prevalence of stroke among older people is 7.4% (95% CI: 6.2-8.9%), and it rises with age. The prevalence is 7.0% (95% CI: 5.7-8.6%) for men and 6.4% (95% CI: 5.3-7.8%) for women. Telerehabilitation platforms provide viable options for stroke rehabilitation by allowing patients to access therapy sessions remotely. Studies have indicated that telerehabilitation therapies, such as virtual reality-based Therapy and remote monitoring, can help stroke survivors improve their motor function, daily tasks, and quality of life.

Moreover,  telerehabilitation can be a cost-effective way to manage the rehabilitation needs of older persons. Telerehabilitation, by decreasing the need for frequent in-person visits and streamlining healthcare delivery, can assist in optimizing resources and increasing rehabilitation services' efficiency.

Global Telerehabilitation Market Restraints:

Technological Barriers and Infrastructure Limitations

In remote or underserved locations, patients' access to high-speed Internet and digital equipment may be limited, making it difficult for them to engage in telerehabilitation programs. Older persons, an essential demographic for rehabilitation services, may have difficulty using and adapting to technology, restricting their involvement in telerehabilitation. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 8.3 million homes and companies in the United States do not have high-speed broadband internet. As of 2023, an estimated 2.6 billion people globally, or 33% of the global population, do not have access to the Internet. 

In addition, older persons may struggle to use digital devices and navigate telecommunication systems, limiting their participation in telerehabilitation. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research discovered that older persons perceive technology as complex and may require additional help and training to use telehealth services efficiently. According to the Pew Research Center, a digital divide persists while older persons increasingly adopt technology. Only 73% of those 65 and older own a smartphone, and 42% have never used the Internet.

Furthermore, developing countries sometimes need more infrastructure for widespread internet access and digital communication, restricting the availability of telerehabilitation services. According to the International Telecommunications Union, just 28.2% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa has internet connection.

Global Telerehabilitation Market Opportunity:

Increasing Acceptance of Telehealth Services

With the increased adoption of telehealth services in various healthcare areas, including general care, mental health, and chronic illness management, telerehabilitation is becoming recognized as an effective and practical method of providing rehabilitation services. This acceptance is projected to accelerate the global adoption of telerehabilitation systems. The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has a Special Interest Group (SIG) that promotes policy, advocacy, education, and clinical best practices for rehabilitation professionals seeking information and communication technologies in rehabilitation service delivery.

Additionally, regulatory agencies recognize the benefits of telerehabilitation and create policies to encourage its use. For example, during the COVID-19 epidemic, the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) enhanced reimbursement policies for telehealth services, including telerehabilitation, and many of these changes are expected to be permanent. 

Similarly, in India, Jan Vikas Samiti created the Tele-Rehabilitation effort "Sambhav" to reach out to children with neurological disorders in resource-limited settings. The project's goal is to adapt rehabilitation plans and deliver appropriate Therapy to children with disabilities, as well as to improve field workers' diagnostic and rehabilitation planning skills. As telehealth becomes more incorporated into mainstream healthcare delivery, telerehabilitation is predicted to play an essential role in increasing access to rehabilitation treatments, improving patient outcomes, and improving overall healthcare delivery efficiency and effectiveness.

Regional Analysis

The global telerehabilitation market share is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global telerehabilitation market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% over the forecast period. The presence of cutting-edge healthcare technologies and increased e-visits are the primary drivers of market expansion. In 2019, the governor of California passed a new law allowing for commercial health care. It will benefit consumers by increasing access to healthcare services and encouraging the development of telehealth technology in the region. Furthermore, the increased frequency of chronic illness and a well-developed healthcare infrastructure drive market expansion. The number of persons aged 50 and older in the United States is expected to rise by 61.11% between 2020 and 2050, while the number of people suffering from at least one chronic condition is likely to increase by 99.5%. 

Furthermore, technical developments in rehabilitation and increased public awareness of remote patient monitoring are driving market growth. Market participants are concentrating on enhancing the quality of telerehabilitation services to enhance the entire patient experience. For example, Reflexion Health, Inc. gained FDA 510(k) approval for The Virtual Exercise Rehabilitation Assistant (VERA), a digitized physiotherapy platform for "rehabilitating the trunk and upper extremities," in 2019.

Asia-Pacific is expected to have the fastest growth. The expanding senior population in Japan is driving up demand for telerehabilitation services. Telerehabilitation services have enormous investment potential in rising nations such as India and China, where healthcare infrastructure is expanding and physician-to-patient ratios are low. Various government measures are being implemented to promote digital health technology, increasing regional market growth. For example, in 2022, the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council, an autonomous institution inside India's Department of Science and Technology, launched a telemedicine effort to assist rural patients.

The European telerehabilitation market is expanding rapidly due to various causes, including increased usage of telehealth services, favorable legislative policies, technology improvements, and the necessity for remote healthcare solutions, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, nations such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and France have implemented reimbursement programs for telehealth services, including telerehabilitation, accelerating market expansion. The World Health Organization (WHO) Europe is also trying to increase telehealth quality in Europe through the "Regional digital health action plan for the WHO European Region 2023-2030". This plan is based on the "Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025". The WHO/Europe has been working on the TQoCT since 2022 to align with this aim. 

Segmental Analysis

The global telerehabilitation market is segmented based on components, services, Therapy, and application.

The market by component is further segmented into Hardware and software.

The software category dominated the market in 2023, accounting for 65%. Telerehabilitation software refers to the digital platforms and applications used to enable remote rehabilitation sessions. This includes video conferencing software, encrypted messaging platforms for patient-therapist contact, and specialist rehabilitation software for exercise prescription, progress tracking, and result assessment. Telerehabilitation software frequently includes user-friendly interfaces, interactive exercise modules, and data analytics capabilities to facilitate remote therapy delivery and increase patient participation. Additionally, software solutions may link with electronic health record systems, allowing for seamless documentation and care coordination among healthcare professionals. Overall, telerehabilitation software is critical to providing efficient and successful remote rehabilitation services, allowing therapists to provide tailored Therapy and track patient progress remotely.

Further, the segment is expected to develop the fastest due to the increased need to lower rising medical expenses, a growing requirement for accurate and timely information procurement, and increasing patient care expenditures.

Hardware refers to the actual equipment required to conduct remote rehabilitation sessions. Devices such as cameras, microphones, speakers, and sensors allow patients and therapists to communicate in real time. Specialized rehabilitation equipment, such as motion capture systems, virtual reality headsets, and wearable sensors, may enhance interactive and engaging therapy sessions. Hardware components are required to capture patient movements, provide feedback, and track progress during telerehabilitation sessions, ensuring that therapy interventions are personalized to individual needs and given effectively remotely.

The market is fragmented into Clinical Assessment and clinical Therapy based on services.

Clinical therapy services in telerehabilitation include providing patients with rehabilitative interventions and treatment modalities remotely. These treatment sessions may involve exercises, activities, and interventions tailored to the patient's impairments, functional restrictions, or rehabilitation objectives. Therapists can walk patients through therapeutic exercises, comment on technique and form, and track their progress and adherence to treatment protocols via live video consultations, teleconferencing platforms, or pre-recorded instructional videos. Clinical therapy services in telerehabilitation seek to promote recovery, improve functional outcomes, and improve patient's quality of life by providing evidence-based interventions in a convenient and accessible setting.

Clinical assessment services in telerehabilitation involve remotely evaluating patients' physical, cognitive, and functional capacities. Healthcare professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists may administer screenings, standardized exams, and subjective evaluations. Clinicians can use video conferencing, online surveys, and interactive digital tools to acquire essential information about patients' medical history, symptoms, and current functional status to aid diagnosis, treatment planning, and goal setting. Clinical evaluation services in telerehabilitation are designed to thoroughly evaluate patients' rehabilitation needs, identify areas of impairment or dysfunction, and create baseline measurements for tracking progress over time.

By Therapy, the market is classified into Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

Physical Therapy dominated the market in 2023, accounting for 45% of the total. Physical Therapy delivers rehabilitative interventions to address musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and movement-related impairments and disabilities via remote means. Physical therapists use communication technologies to do assessments, prescribe exercises, and advise on mobility training, strength exercises, range of motion exercises, and pain management measures. The increased occurrence of illnesses, accidents, and disabilities is propelling the industry forward. The increasing acceptability of telerehabilitation among physiotherapists is fueling expansion.

Telerehabilitation occupational therapy assists people with injuries, disabilities, or restrictions in performing meaningful activities and everyday living chores independently and successfully. Occupational therapists use telecommunications technology to create tailored intervention plans to evaluate patients' cognitive, perceptual, and functional abilities and their home or work surroundings. Occupational therapy interventions offered remotely may include adapted equipment recommendations, environmental changes, self-care training, cognitive retraining exercises, and lifestyle management plans. 

The market can be bifurcated by application into Cardiovascular, Orthopedic, Neurology, and Pediatric.

The orthopedic category dominated the market with a 35% share in 2023, owing to its efficacy and increased acceptance of telerehabilitation services by orthopedic surgeons. Telerehabilitation applications in orthopedics are intended to treat musculoskeletal injuries, surgeries, and disorders affecting the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Orthopedic telerehabilitation services may include virtual consultations, remote assessments of functional mobility and range of motion, therapeutic exercise prescriptions, post-operative rehabilitation protocol assistance, and recovery status monitoring. Patients with orthopedic conditions such as fractures, joint replacements, sprains, strains, and osteoarthritis can benefit from telerehabilitation interventions that reduce pain, restore mobility, improve strength and flexibility, and allow a safe return to daily activities.

Telerehabilitation services in the cardiovascular domain are focused on the remote management and rehabilitation of people suffering from heart disorders such as myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, coronary artery disease, and peripheral artery disease. These services may include remote vital sign monitoring, cardiac telemetry, exercise training, food counseling, medication management, and lifestyle modification assistance. Healthcare practitioners can use telecommunication technology to administer cardiac rehabilitation programs, conduct risk assessments, and provide information and support to patients to help them improve their cardiovascular health, minimize risk factors, and avoid complications.

Recent Developments

• February 2024- Philips announced that over 1500 Cath Lab installations were installed throughout the Indian subcontinent.
• March 2024- Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and the Telenor Group announced a substantial expansion of their collaboration, as evidenced by the evolution of their Joint Purpose Agreement (JPA) for the sixth consecutive year, to link the unconnected to the services and opportunities they require.