Stroke patients game their way to rehab

Well shit, then write up a protocol and get it publicly published to all the stroke doctors and therapists in the world. NO EXCUSES.
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/news/2017/september-2017/04/stroke-patients-game-their-way-to-rehab.aspx
Aaron van Deldenavandelden@nzdoctor.co.nzMonday 04 September 2017, 1:17PM
A New Zealand-made robotic rehabilitation system is helping stroke patients to take control of their recovery from home.

The AbleX system was presented to delegates in a workshop at the recent South GP CME, by AbleX Healthcare clinical director, Anne Recordon, a physiotherapist who specialises in neurological rehabilitation.

Physiotherapist Anne Recordon with the AbleX system which helps rehabilitate stroke patients












The system, which can be purchased for $2000 or rented for $140 a month, includes a handlebar and arm skate that patients use to play computer games. These are designed to engage their brain and restore its control over the muscle activity in their upper limb.

Upper limbs neglected
Inpatient rehabilitation following a stroke tends to be on lower limb training, Ms Recordon says, and evidence suggests upper limb rehabilitation is often neglected, even though most stroke survivors have some form of paralysis in their arms and hands.

Ms Recordon introduces her patients to the system and sets them up to use it independently, or with the help of a carer, at home.

Because the AbleX system can be used by a patient at home, it allows them to train more fre-quently than if they were relying on physiotherapy appointments, and frequent training is a key part of effective rehabilitation, Ms Recordon says.

Acute phase rehabilitation is funded for 12 weeks only, so a solution like AbleX allows people to continue their rehabilitation and regain more control of their upper limbs.

Her patients have been “hugely” motivated to use the AbleX system, while either sitting or standing, as opposed to more rudimentary training, such as putting pegs in a round board.

“Sometimes it’s the only thing they can do confidently by themselves,” Ms Recordon says. “The other exciting aspect about using robotics is that it’s a cognitively driven task.”

Keeping track of progress remotely
Auckland-based AbleX Healthcare has also developed an online application for the system, allowing clinicians to keep track of their patients’ progress remotely.

The company has so far focused its work in Australia, partnering with the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, where a randomised clinical trial of the system and online application is being conducted. The trial involves 200 patients using the AbleX system at home.

In New Zealand, about 9000 people have a stroke each year, and there are about 60,000 stroke survivors.

A 2015 Treasury report found stroke survivors aged between 20 and 59 were more likely to be unemployed and in need of income support than those who faced other major illnesses, including cancer and heart disease.