The HandTutor, ArmTutor and LegTutor systems used effetively for movement dysfunction due to pain

In the February edition the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology http://bit.ly/hi7nG3 Dr. Hodges from the University of Queensland, Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane Australia discusses pain and motor control. He notes movement is changed in pain with the patient exhibiting functional motor adaptation to pain activity with a modification in the mechanical muscoskeletal behaviour and movement pattern. This adaptation is undertaken to “protect” the tissues from further pain or injury. This protection from pain is of short-term benefit, but has potential long-term consequences due to factors such as increased load, decreased movement, and decreased variability in movement. The objective is therefore to break the cycle of pain leading to decreased active exercise leading to decreased mobility leading to functional disability. The HandTutor, ArmTutor and LegTutor systems provide motivation to the patient to do repetitive virtual functional task practice and has been used effectively with CRPS patients. The improved functional movement outcome may be due to the fact that the augmented feedback from the virtual functional tasks provides motivation to the patient to exercise and draws their attention and concentrate away from the pain this then improves the patients joint and limb mobility.