Introduction Traditional musculoskeletal rehabilitation presents a range of challenges that can hinder patient recovery. Cost, access and travel place a significant burden on many health care systems. We completed a pilot study using a wearable biosleeve to determine if such technology might help address many of the current challenges.

Methods Patients were enrolled following knee arthroscopy to receive hybrid physical therapy utilizing a wearable sleeve that tracks joint angles and biometrics in conjunction with a web-based platform that allows provider visibility to patient completion data for assigned protocols.

Results Ten patients, who completed a three-month rehabilitation program, experienced successful outcomes with no adverse events. No difference in adverse outcomes or failure to achieve acceptable motion was found in patients that completed hybrid therapy (in-person and digital) or digital-based therapy alone.

Conclusion While larger studies are required, this study serves as an important launching point for the potential benefits of integrating wearable technology in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This study did not receive any funding

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

IRB of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto and Stanford University gave ethical approval for this work

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

Yes

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

Yes

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Yes

All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors