In the December edition of study published in Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation Dr. Flynn and her group discuss the “Development of an Interactive Game-Based Rehabilitation Tool for Dynamic Balance”. The group tested commercially available gaming systems and found that current commercial games are not compatible with controlled, specific exercise required to meet therapy goals http://bit.ly/dYbkxH
Is this finding all so due to the sensors being used in commercially available games only testing to see that the end point of the movement has been reached and therefore do not prevent compensatory movement strategies?
MediTouch have developed the LegTutor system that allows for the implementation of virtual functional lower extremity tasks. The system incorporates 3D position information on the hip and allows the patient to practice intensive isolated knee and hip exercises. Using the LegTutor system in combination with traditional functional exercises promotes functional rehabilitation.
when taking Stroke rehabilitation exercises the use of a mirror as been proven to be a great asset. Take a look at www.mirrorboxtherapy.com there is lots of evidence that mirror box therapy works, great info and a link to where you can buy a folding mirror box.
ReplyDeleteMirror therapy was first described by V.S. Ramachandran for treatment of phantom limb pain, but has since been proven in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) / RSD, and stroke rehabilitation, as well as for hand and foot rehabilitation following an injury or surgery. www.mirrorboxtherapy.com is a good place to start; it has lots of information and a link to where you can purchase a mirror box.
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I agree mirror therapy has been well proven in the literature. However mirror therapy does not provide augmented feedback.
The mirror can not provide the patient with instructions on how to move and can not provide the patient information on how well they have performed the movement task.
The HandTutor system employs virtual functional tasks that can be customized according to the patients movement ability. Therefore patients with very limited or no active movement ability can, through active assisted exercises, undertake intensive and massed movement practice. Similarly if the patient has better movement ability but still needs to work on pushing this ability to its limit the virtual tasks can be customized so that the patient needs to employ for example his maximum range of movement and or his maximum speed of opening of the fingers in order to succeed in the repetitive task. While the patient is performing the task they continue to receive instructions on how to do the task, how to correct compensatory movement patterns and feedback on their success in completing the task. This feedback is known as augmented motion feedback and teaches the patient how to move their arm and hands again.