The Possibility of Using the Accelerometer in Occupational Therapy in Patients with Acquired Brain Injury
Abstract
According to published yearbooks of the General Health Insurance Company, the number of cases of cerebral vascular events and other brain damage has not changed significantly over the last decade, and the tendency for these damages tends to drop slightly. However, the treatment of these patients is very financially demanding (26).
There are a number of difficulties in brain damage. The most common are motor problems.
Up to 85% of patients suffer from functional impairment or complete loss of function of the upper limb (22). Because of this limitation, patients cannot fully engage their upper limb in the activities of daily living (ADL), which may lead to their incompetence and long-term dependence on the other person.
For this reason, modern technology is increasingly used in rehabilitation as a means of rehabilitation of upper limbs (22). Current trends include the use of inertial sensors, which are referred to as non-invasive patient monitoring systems.
Inertial sensors include accelerometers. Accelerometer is an instrument or part of an acceleration meter and can monitor the movement of the upper limbs.
The main advantage from the perspective of occupational therapy is the possibility of monitoring this movement during the performance of ADL in the native, domestic environment of the patient. In addition, accelerometers provide feedback to allow patients to track their movement and event. improvement and thus motivates them to engage their upper limbs in ADL.
Monitoring and feedback are essential principles in promoting functional health and lead to a change in behavior, as exercise is significantly influenced by the so-called "self-confidence to exercise one's own abilities" (14, 22, 23).