Newly developed Tutor system uses telerehabilitation

As published in J Telemed Telecare. 2011 Aug 15, 2011 Drs. D. Hailey and R. Roine et al of the School of Information Systems and Technology, University of Wollongong, Australia.
systematically reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of telerehabilitation (TR) applications. The review included reports on rehabilitation for any disability, other than mental health conditions, and drug or alcohol addiction. All forms of telecommunications technology for TR and all types of study design were considered. Study quality was assessed using an approach that considered both study performance and study design. Judgements were made on whether each TR application had been successful, whether reported outcomes were clinically significant, and whether further data were needed to establish the application as suitable for routine use. Sixty-one scientifically credible studies that reported patient outcomes or administrative changes were identified through computerized literature searches on five databases. Twelve clinical categories were covered by the studies. Those dealing with cardiac or neurological rehabilitation were the most numerous. Thirty-one of the studies (51%) were of high or good quality. Study results showed that 71% of the TR applications were successful, 18% were unsuccessful and for 11% the status was unclear. The reported outcomes for 51% of the applications appeared to be clinically significant. Poorer-quality studies tended to have worse outcomes than those from high- or good-quality studies. We judged that further study was required for 62% of the TR applications and desirable for 23%. TR shows promise in many fields, but compelling evidence of benefit and of impact onroutine rehabilitation programmes is still limited. There is a need for more detailed, better-quality studies and for studies on the use of TR in routine care.
The HandTutor, ArmTutor, LegTutor and 3DTutor improve movement of the hand, wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, foot and other joints of the body following traumatic injuries. The devices have been effective for post stroke victims as well as for those suffering from Cerebral Palsy, spinal cord and brain injuries, Apraxia, MS, Parkinsons and other movement disabilities. The Tutors provide Intensive active exercises that reduce the rate of deterioration. The Tutors implement a rehabilitation program with augmented feedback that allows the therapist to evaluate and record the patient’s motor and cognitive impairments. Already being used in leading U.S. and foreign hospitals and clinics the system is available for children and adults and can be implemented using telerehabilitation.