Tutor System One of the Best Tools in Physical Rehabilitation for TBI Patients

The causes of traumatic brain injuries are as different as the group gathered at the Central Coast Center for Independent Living. But the common thread is the string of symptoms and deficits — memory problems, disorganized thinking, a constant sense of feeling overwhelmed, loss of normal limb mobility — that they will cope with for the rest of their lives.
The initial intensity of those symptoms usually decreases, with neurologists agreeing the most significant recovery occurs within the first 2 or 3 years. But after that, whatever level of recovery survivors achieve largely depends on their ability to develop coping strategies that are effective.
Brain injuries are classified into 3 categories- mild, moderate or severe .The symptoms range from confusion and lightheadedness following a concussion to coma following an attack or assault — and the prognosis for recovery becomes worse depending on the severity.
Most people who have had a serious TBI will experience changes in their behavioral and emotional changes and cognitive skills including:
Memory
Judgment
Attention or concentration
Multitasking
Organization
Decision making
Difficulty deciphering nonverbal signals
Trouble following conversations
Difficulty in social situations
Difficulty with self-control
Verbal or physical outbursts
Irritability
Lack of empathy
When TBI causes lack of mobility in one or more of the patient‘s limbs the TUTOR system has become one of the best tools to improve that mobility.
The newly developed HANDTUTOR, for example, have become a key system in neuromuscular rehabilitation for TBI and stroke victims and those recovering from spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s, MS, CP and other limb movement limitations. The HANDTUTOR is a hand therapy tool used by Occupational therapists. These innovative devices implement an impairment based program with augmented motion feedback that encourages motor learning through intensive active exercises and movement practice. The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR consist of wearable glove and braces that detect limb movements showing the patient how much active or assisted active movement they are actually accomplishing. The rehabilitation software uses special rehabilitation games to set a new target in terms of the patient’s ability to move their limb. The devices then measure the limb movement and give feedback on the success of the patient in this new objective. In this way the patient is given feedback that allows the patient to understand which effort is more successful in allowing them to move their affected limb again. Subsequently the TUTOR system provides exercises that are challenging and motivating and allow for repetitive and intensive exercise practice. The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are now part of the rehabilitation program of leading U.S. German, Italian, French, UK and other foreign hospitals. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.