Individualized game-based physical therapy for telemedicine
CFD Research has developed prototype apps for rehabilitation with gaming, self-management and remote monitoring elements to improve accessibility and compliance to rehabilitation. The novelty of our approach is that it focuses on making rehabilitation exercises more fun and easier to perform at home while being remotely monitored by a clinician.
Prototypes have been developed for vestibular rehabilitation as well as lower back pain.
Visit www.theravista.health for more detailed product information.
For Vestibular Rehabilitation
Problem
Vestibular rehabilitation is effective for a range of disorders with dizziness. However, adherence is poor (< 50%) and exercises are difficult to perform at home as they can acerbate symptoms. Due to the nature of injury, patients also often forget.
Our Solution
Head motion controlled rehabilitation games (VORx1 and balance), in an app with self-management and remote monitoring. Concise and clear report for clinician to track progress over time.
Target Populations
A proof of concept app has been designed with elderly in mind. The app can easily be adapted for any condition and age group that benefits from vestibular rehabilitation, including mTBI.
For Lower Back Pain
Problem
80% of Americans are affected by lower back pain at least once in their lives and at any given time 29% of Americans are suffering from lower back pain. Physical therapy has been proven to be effective in treating lower back pain, as well as being cost effective. However, over half of physical therapy patients do not perform their home exercise program as prescribed.
Our Solution
Create games that mimic lower back pain at home exercises to be played on a mobile platform (smartphone and tablet). The games are controlled by attaching motion tracking sensors to the patient. Concise and clear report for clinician to track progress over time.
Target Populations
Typically lower back pain is associated with the elderly. However, studies have shown that it is on the rise in all age groups. Other demographics include pregnant and post-partum women, office workers, athletes, and people who have recently experienced car accidents.
Benefits
- Our apps are designed to improve compliance to rehabilitation.
- They also make rehabilitation accessible to those that may not have a vestibular or back pain expert nearby.
- They have game levels with increasing difficulty.
- To rehabilitation providers it provides a clear assessment that shows them how often and how well their patients did their rehabilitation at home.
- Further, it allows them to reach patients that do not live in the proximity or are house bound.
Feedback
“The vestibular app will be useful for me in clinic to be able to get feedback on whether patients do the excercises, to see how fast they are moving, and to help encourage patients to do their exercises.”
“This app will keep patients involved and more interested in the exercises needed to assist with recovery as well as keep them at the proper pace to get maximum benefit.”
Other Applications
Our ultimate goal is to develop a suite of rehabilitation apps for physical therapy and other rehabilitation exercises that are based on the same concepts.
Visit www.theravista.health for more detailed product information.
