Motivating early mobilization improves functional ability

In the December edition of Stroke http://bit.ly/hYnXS6 Dr Cumming and his group from University; and School of Physiotherapy La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia and Department of Medicine University of Melbourne report on a clinical trial to show the effectiveness of Very Early Mobilization After Stroke Fast-Tracks Return to Walking. The group show that very early and intensive mobilization allowed patients to return to walking significantly faster than did standard stroke unit care controls. The LegTutor is a Knee brace and 3D hip position system that allows the patient to perform virtual functional tasks. The LegTutor system allows the patient to practice virtual sitting to standing movement patterns without weight baring. The exercises can also be performed with the therapist assisting the patient to move his legs even if the patient does not have the required range of motion. The LegTutor system therefore allows the patient to perform motivating early mobilization exercises.