Technology-assisted therapy launched at QEF to intensify impact of neuro rehabilitation
The Care and Rehabilitation Centre near Leatherhead , provided by disability charity Queen Elizabeth ’ s Foundation for Disabled People ( QEF ), now offers technology-assisted therapy as part of its neuro rehabilitation and complex neurological care service .
Expert therapy and care teams support people to regain core skills after a stroke , acquired brain injury , spinal injury or neurological illness .
The combination of motion-sensing equipment and foot board helps clients significantly improve their hand , arm and leg strength and range of movement , core stability and balance , with increased feedback to the client on their progress .
The computer package was quite clever really , it was especially good for my balance . It measures how much I was swaying on my feet and I saw good progress ...”
Visually engaging gamification techniques also add fun and purpose to repetitive exercises prescribed by their physiotherapist or occupational therapist .
Funded by donations to the charity ’ s Edward Guinness Appeal , the new technology is being introduced to intensify the impact of therapy by enabling precise and repetitive exercises to be practised both during and outside main therapy sessions , in a fun and engaging way .
Sensors can be placed on different parts of the body depending on the prescribed exercises , such as the chin , feet , thighs , hands and arms and the balance board measures weight distribution through the feet .
For hand and arm rehabilitation , sensors measure the strength of the hand and the active range of motion the in arms ; movements that are frequently used in daily living skills such as eating or dressing .
Sensors can also be used for gait analysis as part of a therapy programme to improve walking skills . The foot board has pressure sensors , which can be used to train balance and postural control through specifically adapted gaming challenges .
As the start and end position for each exercise can be defined and the movement between them accurately tracked and recorded , a clear record of progress can be created .
Individual data is recorded , which can be used to monitor each client and assess the effectiveness
Above and bottom left : Balance and core stability
Right : Feet motion sensors
of their therapy , as well as provide each client with detailed feedback .
As this technology can also be used outside main therapy sessions the impact of personalised therapy programmes is intensified and the gamification element means that focused , repeated movements are practised in a fun and visually stimulating environment .
Gareth , a former stroke client at QEF , says : ‘ The computer package was quite clever really , it was especially good for my balance . It measures how much I was swaying on my feet and I saw good progress . The gamification is a different angle , but it is still therapy and good to do in tandem with regular therapy . It ’ s a really good way to see how you are progressing .’
12 OTnews May 2024