Mobile Biofeedback Low Cost Therapy Systems For Home, Outpatient And Institutional Rehabilitation Care
Abstrakt
Background and aims: The aim of the study was to verify usability of mobile biofeedback therapeutic system Homebalance in group-based therapy of patients with a diagnosis of vertebral algic syndrome as a substitute for individual therapy, to evaluate therapeutic effect of this type of group-based intervention and to evaluate effect on reduction of manpower requirements. Methods: The study included patients with a diagnosis of vertebral algic syndrome in the subacute and chronic phases, who were hospitalized in Rehabilitation center Kladruby. 73 patients were included in the study.
All patients received conventional individual physiotherapy (1:1 ratio) for 4 times per week and once a week they received group balance therapy with Homebalance, a system consisting of Nintendo Wii Balance Board and a tablet with developed therapeutic software for visual feedback, under a physiotherapist's supervision (1:7 ratio). The whole program lasted for 6 weeks.
This group balance therapy consisted of testing and reference exercises using Homebalance (3 min), therapy with Homebalance (5 min) and independent exercise (15 min). Results: The design of therapy was accepted across the patient group without occurrence of any undesirable side effects.
A more significant improvement was achieved by patients who performed poorly at the initial examination and had a scoring record in the therapeutic game which was higher than the standard for a healthy population. There was an improvement of 11 seconds (p=0.0002) in patients who practiced for 3-6 weeks.
Stability examinations showed improvement in laterolateral symmetry. A more significant improvement in posture was detected when visual feedback was given.
Notable decrease of 86 % in manpower requirements was observed as a result of employing only one therapist in group-therapy training units. Conclusions: Mobile biofeedback system Homebalance is easily usable and effective tool for group therapy.
To make further recommendations and to set up therapeutic planning, it is necessary to carry out more detailed study with additional objective therapeutic trials as well as to provide larger patient population for subsequent data analysis.