Virtual reality in video games, digital devices and other computing devices can help people stand and walk. This is suggested by the world's largest study on the effects of digital devices in rehabilitation. Participants used an average of four different digital devices in the hospital and two different digital devices at home.Fitness watches and pedometerswere the most frequently used digital device. However, the researchers also tested these on people in the hospital and at home. It involved a range of devices such as Xbox, Wii and iPads that made the exercises more interactive and enabled a remote connection with their physiotherapist.
Digital devices as a means of therapy
Study participants recovered from strokes, brain injuries, falls and fractures. The scientists conducted the study in hospitals. 300 patients between the ages of 18 and 101 took part. Those who used digital devices in addition to their usual rehabilitation had better mobility after six months. It was all about walking, standing up and balance.
The study is not only the largest, but also very comprehensive in terms of the variety of devices. In addition, the type of device for each participant was selected to best suit the patient's walking and standing problems and take into account their preferences.
The main author Dr. Leanne Hassett from the University of Sydney said benefits reported by patients using digital devices in rehabilitation included variety, fun, feedback on performance, cognitive challenge, additional exercise and the potential to use the devices with others.
Research results
“These benefits meant patients were more likely to continue their therapy using digital healthcare when and where it suited them,” said Dr. Hassett from the Faculty of Medicine and Health. According to Dr. Hassett, the results also revealed that people were young at heart when it came to devices.
“The participants loved the fitness watches. “One woman requested to wear one in the middle of the night when she went to the toilet to ensure all her steps were counted,” said Dr. Hassett, research associate at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and lecturer in the discipline of physiotherapy.
“This model of rehabilitation therapy proved to be feasible and enjoyable and demonstrated that it can be used in various care settings, such as post-hospital rehabilitation, with the physiotherapist largely supporting the patient remotely.
“The study shows that future models of physical rehabilitation should consider incorporating digital devices to improve both inpatient and post-hospital rehabilitation.”
To the digital devicesheard video games, monitors and portable computing devices that should allow higher doses of therapy. Physiotherapists worked with participants to select the equipment that was best suited to each individual. Devices were used when participants were in the hospital and after they returned home. The next step will be to test the approach in clinical practice. The researchers will include him in the work of physiotherapists. Recruitment for this is expected to take place in 12 to 18 months.
