FEATURE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
As part of the Mytherappy service expansion , apps can now be found that are recommended for a suitable for use by occupational therapists as part of assessment and rehabilitation . There is also a section on apps for occupational therapy CPD .
Ruth Siewruk is an advanced practitioner occupational therapist . You can find out more at www . mytherappy . co . uk / apps / occupationaltherapy .
The ‘ Top five ’ recommended apps * for occupational therapists Via-therapy : a stroke specific app made to guide therapists with their upper limb rehabilitation . ‘ The app was made by Vision Sim : Ruth says that this app is ‘ another one for an international panel of stroke rehabilitation researchers hemianopia and other visual difficulties like macular and clinicians from neurology , and physical and occupational degeneration ’. She adds : ‘ This app allows families to simulate therapy ,’ Ruth says . the vision of a hemianopia patient . There are multiple vision
‘ The collective expertise encompassed research interests simulations on this app to help family members and staff in epidemiology , motor control , and knowledge translation . understand what someone with a set vision deficit may be able There are useful videos on current upper limb rehab techniques . to see . You can also refine your clinical reasoning by filtering rehab ‘ We use it by selecting the hemianopia option and then techniques for things like , self practice , cognitive deficit . having an education tool to demonstrate to loved ones what
‘ We use this app across all of our clinical areas including the person who has had a stroke can see . This has really acute inpatients and neurological outpatients . It really helps our helped families with the importance of sitting in particular spot band fives and junior staff , as well as giving our more senior and keeping them safe on their feet . staff an update and refresher .’
‘ We even ask relatives to try it out in the home environment Available on : Apple and Android . Price : Free . Mytherappy to identify potential hazards . Our junior and rotational staff have star rating : 4 star . really benefited from this experience .’
Available on : Apple . Price : Free . Mytherappy star rating : 4 Matches-2 : ‘ Card games have long been a useful and fun way star . to review someone ’ s cognition . This is an update on a classic matching game that is a really useful addition to your toolkit ,’ Clock Yourself : an app to provide balance rehabilitation Ruth explains . in a handy and fun way . ‘ This little app , designed by a
‘ Our therapists find it is an easy and quick way to introduce physiotherapist , allows rehabilitation of dynamic balance ,’ Ruth a fun element to therapy and review cognition without having to explains . search for that elusive pack of cards on the hospital ward , or in ‘ All exercises are based on the patient moving their feet the patient ’ s cupboard , and needing a large table to set up . Its around a clock face . [ There are ] good videos with clear quick , its easy , its fun and the images are age appropriate . instructions , and evidence based intervention [ and it is ]
‘ You can race against the clock for patient self play or play as a great for including dual tasking as part of home exercise multi-player . You can also grade the number of cards in the task .’ programme .
Available on : Apple . Price : Free . Mytherappy star rating : 4.5 ‘ The app can be used hands free and it comes with safety star . considerations for fallers . There is nice progression through the different levels and it is adaptable for different levels of Visual attention therapy : ‘ We all know that repetition is the key impairment , from standing with upper limb support to high level to success of stroke and neurological rehabilitation ,’ Ruth says . cardio / balance .’ ‘ This handy little app allows an easy and fun way to practice Available on : Apple and Android . Price : £ 1.99 . Mytherappy impairment-based visual attention difficulties . It is a modern star rating : 4.5 star upgrade to the traditional star cancellations sheets . It allows practice in a small space and independent practice even when * For more information or regular updates about new apps they can not hold a pen . We love the full version .’ please contact the Mytherappy team or Ruth at : Available on : Apple and android . Price : Free trial or Lite ndht . mytherappy @ nhs . net , ruthsiewruk @ nhs . net @ RehabRuth version (£ 7.99 for full version ). Mytherappy star rating : 4 star . @ mytherappy
54 OTnews December 2020