Tutor System Increases Confidence and Sense of Achievement for SCI Patients

As reported by Chris Thomas in SCIENCE NETWORK in Western Australia on October 25, 2011

An innovative rehabilitation program has been introduced to Edith Cowan University’s Joondalup campus, after the establishment of a partnership with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia.
“The program aims to give the nervous system a chance to reactivate below the level of injury.”said therapist Kierre Ireland.
Funded by a $320,000 Lotterywest grant, the ‘Walk On Program’ is based at ECU’s Health and Wellness Institute with staff and students trained to develop specific rehabilitation exercises while using state-of-the-art equipment
About 50 people receive a spinal cord injury every year in WA, in addition to the thousands already living with a spinal cord injury.
Twelve people have been chosen to take part in an individually designed exercise program to help maximise their functional recovery.
National Walk On therapist Kierre Ireland says it is a chance for them to get out of their wheelchairs for a two-hour session and complete whole body, intensive and dynamic exercises—no matter what level of function they may have.
“We work all parts of the body, not just the areas unaffected by the injury,” she says.
“This aims to give the nervous system a chance to reactivate below the level of injury.
“All clients complete exercises in different positions, from lying on their side or tummy, to kneeling, standing, crawling and even walking.
“Many clients report the variety of exercises and positions gives them an increased confidence and awareness of their body once again, as well as a sense of achievement and overall positive outlook on their lives.”
Three exercise physiologists completed six weeks of training in activity-based spinal cord injury therapy at the University of Sydney and the Project Walk SCI recovery centre in Carlsbad, California, before the program was launched.
Ms Ireland says the training exposes them to a broad variety of people with different levels and severity of injuries.
“A spinal cord injury is such an individualised injury, meaning there are rarely two people who present with the same level of function and ability,” she says.
“There is no other training in the neurological field that offers such an extended experience and exposure working exclusively with people with spinal cord injuries.”
Physical benefits include an improvement in patients’ ability to transfer from wheelchairs to beds or in and out of cars, being able to wash or feed themselves more independently and an overall improvement in balance and strength that makes it easier for them to pick things up.
“Many of our clients also report gaining a huge psychological improvement with a more positive approach to their lives, increase in self-confidence and a sense of worth,” Ms Ireland says.
The newly developed state of the art Tutor devices have through their powerful evaluation software increased the confidence and sense of achievement of patients suffering from SCI, Brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, MS, stroke, limb surgery and other debilitating issues. The Tutor system (HandTutor, ArmTutor, LegTutor and 3DTutor) are designed to give the patient a functional recovery. The 3DTutor, for example, is a wireless motion feedback device that can be positioned on discrete joints of the head, trunk or upper and lower extremities. This allows for evaluation and treatment of the joint of choice. The 3D unit can be used independently or in conjunction with the other Tutor devices to exercise interjoint movements. The Tutor system can bring a positive approach to the life of the patient.
The HandTutor and its “sisters” is currently being used successfully in leading U.S. and foreign hospitals and clinics. It is designed for adults and children alike and is fully certified by the FDA and CE.