THE VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY STUDY OF THE TURKISH VERSION OF THE TELEREHABILITATION ACCEPTANCE SCALE PATIENT FORM

Purpose: This study was planned to examine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Telerehabilitation Acceptance Scale Patient/Caregiver Form (TRAS-P) and to evaluate telerehabilitation awareness and acceptance in patients/caregivers. Methods: Patients or their caregivers between the ages of 18-65 who were receiving treatment in any rehabilitation program participated in this study. After the TRAS-P was translated into Turkish, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed for the scale. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated. Telerehabilitation acceptance of the participants are assessed. Results: In the exploratory factor analysis, 3 factors explaining 85.247% of the total variance for the 12-item scale were obtained and it was seen that there was no need to remove any item from the TRAS-P. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model fit was adequate when item 10 was removed from the model (RMSEA (root mean square error of approximation) =0,073, AGFI (Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index) =0,904, GFI (Goodness of Fit Index) =0,945, X2/df=2.448). All items had high factor loadings (>0.5). The internal consistency of the TRAS-P was extremely high for all three factors and all items (Cronbach Alpha=0.978-917). The TRAS-P had excellent test-retest reliability (ICC:0.998-0.985). Male participants (p<0.001), participants with higher educational level (p<0.001), and younger participants (p<0.001) were more likely to accept telerehabilitation. Conclusion: The TRAS-P is a valid and reliable scale to assess telerehabilitation acceptance and awareness of patients or caregivers who are being treated in any rehabilitation program. Patients/ caregivers with higher levels of education, younger, male patients/caregivers are more likely to accept telerehabilitation. Taking these characteristics into account may increase the acceptance and success of telerehabilitation.