Foot drop caused by Radiculopathy treated by manual therapy and the 3DTutor

Disease of the spinal nerve roots and spinal nerves particular in the lumbar spine and sacral region of the spine can lead to pain. The locality of pain is dependent on which nerve root is affected. This condition is known as Radiculopathy or radiculitis. Radiculopathy is characterized by a pain that seems to radiate from the spine and extend outward to cause symptoms away from the source of the spinal nerve root irritation. Manual therapy by a physiotherapist, physical therapist, and use of the 3DTutor particular if the pain has led to movement impairment e.g. foot drop
is affective in improving functional walking ability and motivate the patient to exercise despite the pain.

National Institute of Health Panel Discusses Traumatic Brain Injury Problem

A number of years ago there was a panel discussion at a National Institutes of Health (NIH) event concerning ”Rehabilitation of Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury”. Although not recent it bears repeating.
The objective was to provide clinicians and biomedical researchers with information about and recommendations for effective rehabilitation measures for persons who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
There were participants representing the fields of behavioral medicine, neuropsychology, neurology, family medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, occupational therapy, speech and hearing, nursing, epidemiology, biostatistics, as well as the public.
The conclusions that were reached were that traumatic brain injury results mainly from sports injuries, vehicular incidents, acts of violence and falls; it is more than twice as likely to occur in men as in women; the estimated incidence rate is 100 per 100,000 persons, including 52,000 deaths annually and that the highest incidence is among persons aged 15 to 24 years and 75 years or older and with a lower number in children up to 5 years of age.
Since TBI may result in lifelong impairment of physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning and that prevalence is estimated at 2.5 to 6.5 million individuals, TBI is therefore a disorder of major public health significance. In addition mild TBI is significantly underdiagnosed and the likely burden to society is therefore even greater. Given the large toll of TBI and the fact that there is no cure, prevention is very important. However, the focus of the conference was the evaluation of and support for rehabilitative measures for the cognitive and behavioral consequences of TBI.
The TUTOR system has been created to optimize rehabilitation measures for the cognitive and behavioral consequences of TBI.
The newly developed HANDTUTOR and its sister devices (ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, 3DTUTOR) has become a key system in neuromuscular rehabilitation for TBI, stroke victims and those recovering from brain and spinal injuries, Parkinson’s, MS, CP and other limb movement limitations. 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 movement showing the patient how much active or assisted active movement he is actually doing. The rehabilitation software uses special games to set a new target for this movement 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 trying to gain this new movement objective. In this way the patient is given movement feedback that allows the patient to understand which effort is more successful in allowing them to move their affected limb again. In this way 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.

Rehabilitation Units that Include the Tutor System Show Success

F. Simmonds and T. Stevermuer of the Spinal Rehabilitation Unit, Caulfield Hospital, Alfred Health, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia compared the rehabilitation outcomes and demographic characteristics for both non-traumatic SCI and traumatic SCI patients admitted into either (SCIRUs)– specialist spinal cord injury rehabilitation units or (NSRUs)–non-specialist rehabilitation units . They studied 668 patients in rehabilitation units in Australia.
They found that there are differences in the characteristics of SCI patients admitted to SCIRU compared with NSRU. NT-SCI patients admitted to SCIRU have greater functional gain. When the SCI patient undergoes physical rehabilitation in an RU he will be able to avail himself of the latest equipment and medical devices to alleviate his symptoms and return him as much as possible to a normal life.
One such tool is the TUTOR system. It consists of the HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR.
The newly developed HANDTUTOR, for example, has 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 understands which effort is more successful in moving 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.

Traumatic Brain Injury and the Tutor System’s Effectiveness

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) usually affects younger people and causes long lasting impairments in physical, behavioral, cognitive and social function. The physical deficits are not usually as disabling as the cognitive, behavioral and personality deficits. The recovery period from TBI can sometimes continue for 5 years after injury. Rehabilitation is effective using an interdisciplinary approach, with close liaison including the patient, family and care givers. The issues to be focused on are retraining in activities of daily living, cognitive, pain management, behavioural therapies and pharmacological management.

Because the social burden of TBI is significant family education and counselling, and support of patient and care givers is important. General practitioners also play an important role in providing ongoing support in the patient’s community by monitoring for medical complications, personality and behavioral issues, social reintegration, the coping skills of the care giver and return-to-work issues.
TBI is a disorder of major public health significance. Rehabilitation services which are matched to the needs of people with TBI, as well as the community’s nonmedical services, should optimize outcomes over the course of recovery. Both the patient with TBI and his social support network should be able to have access to rehabilitation services throughout the recovery period which could continue for many years after the injury. The services required will change as the patient’s needs change over time. Survivors of severe TBI have to face the challenge of resuming a meaningful life both for themselves and their families.
The TUTOR system (HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR) has been in the forefront of medical tools used in TBI physical rehabilitation. Although not a cure all the TUTORs afford one of the best hopes of allowing the TBI patient to return movement to affected limbs.
The newly developed TUTORs have become a key system in neuromuscular rehabilitation and physical therapy for interactive rehabilitation exercise. These innovative devices implement an impairment based program with augmented feedback and encourage motor learning through intensive active exercises. These exercises are challenging and motivating and allow for repetitive training tailored to the patient’s performance. This training is customized by the occupational and physical therapist to ensure that the patient stays motivated to do intensive repetitive manual therapy and exercise practice.
The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are now part of the rehabilitation program of leading U.S. and foreign hospitals with the TUTORs being used in clinics and in the patient’s home. Home care patients can be supported by the occupational and physical therapist via tele-rehabilitation. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.

The HandTutor as a Solution Used in MS Rehabilitation

Published in SAGE JOURNALS on February 2, 2012 Alexa K Stuifbergen etal of the School of Nursing, University of Texas Austin conducted a study whose objective was to explore the feasibility and effects of a cognitive rehabilitation intervention i.e. Memory, Attention, and Problem Solving Skills for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MAPSS-MS) – for persons with multiple sclerosis on cognitive performance, self-efficacy for control of symptoms, memory, and neuropsychological competence in activities of daily living (ADL).
The conclusions reached were that the MAPSS-MS intervention was well-accepted and feasible by participants. Given the large relative increase in use of compensatory strategies by the intervention group, it holds promise for enhancing cognitive function in persons with multiple sclerosis.
It is known that rehabilitation aims to optimize motor, sensory and cognitive performance to allow the patient to better perform everyday functional tasks and improve quality of life.
The HANDTUTOR improves fine motor, sensory and cognitive impairments through intensive active exercises with augmented feedback. These exercises are challenging and motivating and allow for repetitive training that is tailored to the patient’s performance. The HANDTUTOR system includes objective quantitative evaluations that provide a thorough documentation of patient performance and allow the therapist to customize the suitable rehabilitation program to the patient’s ability.
The HANDTUTOR and its sister devices (ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, 3DTUTOR) are available in leading US and foreign hospitals, are useable by children as well as adults, and are certied by the FDA and CE.
See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.

Expanded Rehabilitation Facility Has Latest Equipment–Tutor System

It was reported on Thursday, February 09, 2012 that the Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital is growing and expanding its programs and services.
The Malvern-based hospital recently renovated and expanded its acute rehabilitation facility. The center treats people recovering from strokes, brain injuries and other neurological disorders. It also treats those with more complex neurological issues.
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital is growing and expanding its programs and services.
The Malvern-based hospital recently began a major renovation and expansion at its acute rehabilitation facility. When completed, the new Comprehensive Outpatient Neurorehabilitation Center will expand the treatment area to accommodate people recovering from strokes, brain injuries and other neurological disorders.
The center will utilize state-of-the-art technology to complement the physical and cognitive rehabilitation programs so that their patients can achieve the highest level of independence possible.”
The new center will feature a Vestibular Rehabilitation Suite dedicated to enhancing balance, strength and endurance and a Visual Perception Suite designed for those recovering from concussions. They are making a solid investment in technology and the latest equipment available that can provide their patients with the highest level of care possible in a convenient, comfortable setting.
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital will incorporate the Smart EquiTest to assess balance control and posture stability. The hospital also will add the Neuro-Vision Rehabilitator, which incorporates Wii remotes and sensors to enhance auditory, balance and visual/motor abilities, and its third Dynavision device to address the growing number of patients being treated for concussion symptoms.
Being that Bryn Mawr will feature the latest and best rehabilitation equipment it would also include the TUTOR system.
Victims of stroke, TBI, SCI, upper and lower limb surgeries and a host of other physically disabling illnesses can benefit greatly from the TUTOR system which includes the HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and the 3DTUTOR. The TUTOR system is amongst the most cost effective medical devices for rehabilitative therapy in existence.
The newly developed HANDTUTOR and its sister devices have become a key system in neuromuscular rehabilitation and physical therapy. These innovative devices implement an impairment based program with augmented feedback that encourages intensive practice and motor learning through intensive active exercises. The exercises are challenging and motivating and allow for repetitive intensive training tailored to the patient’s performance and motor and sensory and cognitive movement ability. Customized simple and powerful rehabilitation software allows the physical and occupational therapist the ability to adjust the program and exercise difficulty to the patient’s movement ability. The system also includes objective quantitative evaluations that allow the physiotherapist and his occupational therapist colleagues to report on the patients exercise progress. Telerehabilitation features allow the HANDTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, ARMTUTOR and the 3DTUTOR to be supported by the physical rehabilitation team when the patient is at home. This ensures that the patient is motivated to do more practice between treatments by the therapists. The TUTOR system is suitable for children as well as adults.
See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.

Tutor System one of the Most Promising Interventions for Elderly Physical Rehabilitation

Michaela M. Pinter and, Michael Brainin, of the, Department for Clinical Neurosciences and Preventive Medicine, Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria published the following comment.
Stroke is known to be a leading cause of disability and therefore physical rehabilitation is a major part of patient care. Most interventions do not target elderly patients but there is unequivocal evidence to promote rehabilitation in multidisciplinary stroke units or integrated care of a multidisciplinary team in the community. Most research has focused on the effect of interventions on recovery in different forms of impairment and disability. The most promising options for motor recovery of the arm include constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), robotic-assisted strategies and devices like the TUTOR system which is the most cost effective.
Interventions to improve postural stability and gait include fitness training, high-intensity therapy, and repetitive-task training. However, information about the clinical effect of various strategies of cognitive rehabilitation and strategies for aphasia and dysarthria is scarce. Several large trials of rehabilitation practice are underway to test these interventions in the elderly, either alone or in combination with early mobilisation, cardiorespiratory fitness training and physical exercise.
The TUTOR system, consisting of the HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR, present an excellent supplement to new and traditional therapies for patients with incomplete paralysis. This is because the HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR allow the physical and occupational therapist to give patients customized, intensive and repetitive exercise practice according to their movement ability. In this way the dose and intensiveness of manual therapy can be increased as the patient is motivated to do the correct exercises without doing compensatory movement .
The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTORand 3DTUTOR has been shown to improve range of motion as well as speed and accuracy of movement and improve functional movement ability in stroke patients and and those who experienced SCI, brain injury or other upper and lower limb disabilities., The TUTOR is being used in leading rehabilitation departments in the US and UK in addition to outpatient and private clinics.
Patients discharged from inpatient rehabilitation departments are benefiting from the HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR in the comfort of their own homes. through tele rehabilitation. The system is available for children and adults and is certified by the FDA and CE. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM