Characterizing virtual community exercise programs for people with mobility limitations: a scoping review

Virtual delivery of exercise programs can overcome barriers associated with accessing in-person programs for people with mobility limitations. Despite the growing number of virtual programs, several gaps remain, including how these programs are delivered and the specific strategies used to engage participants safely. We aimed to describe the intervention and methodological characteristics of virtual community exercise programs for adults with mobility limitations. We conducted a scoping review of virtual community exercise programs for adults with health conditions associated with mobility limitations. Data were summarized descriptively, and outcomes were classified using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. A total of 36 studies were included. Pre-post studies (39%) and randomized trials (28%) were the most common study designs. Studies frequently targeted individuals with Parkinson’s disease (31%), multiple sclerosis (11%), and stroke (11%). Programs were commonly group-based (44%), 2 classes/week (47%) lasting 60 minutes (63%), for 8 weeks (33%). Interventions frequently included strength (44%), aerobic (31%), and balance training (19%), and synchronous delivery (80%) by physiotherapists (39%) using Zoom™ (68%). Safety strategies included guidance for space and technology setup (19%), and pre-session safety checks (11%). A wide range of outcomes were evaluated, most commonly health-related quality of life (44%) and physical function (28%). This scoping review shows that virtual community exercise programs for adults with mobility limitations primarily involved physiotherapist-led, 60-minute group sessions delivered via Zoom™, focusing on a combination of strength and aerobic training, and emerging mind–body modalities, and high attendance. Findings highlight the need for larger, well-powered trials with standardized outcomes to support scalability and real-world implementation.