Neurological rehabilitation requires the support of either or a combination of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy, typically delivered in an outpatient or inpatient rehab setting. These types of therapies often provide patients with a home exercise program to help supplement their rehabilitation in addition to session attendance. Home exercise programs usually involve range of motion, strength training and/or stretching routine.  Technology advancements also provide support in a fun, interesting way in addition to traditional home rehab.  Some technologies identified for home neurological rehabilitation include:

• Games – can help with hand eye coordination, working a weak hand/extremity, brain training and more – can be accessed on tablets or mobile phones
• Telerehabilitation – enables remote access to services/rehab therapies
• Robotics – helps improve movement of affected limbs for better range of motion
• Virtual reality – simulated physical environment tasks that can carry over to real-life
• Sensors – measures movements and responses and provide feedback

(AANLCP Journal, Volume XXII, Issue 3, pg. 14).

Christina Lighthill discusses these technologies in the Journal of Nurse Life Care Planning (2022); some examples of these types of technology include:

• The robotic device Motus had and Motus foot which facilitates exercises to the hand/wrist or foot to improve range of motion, motor function and strength.  It can be leased for $400 per month for the hand, or $700 per month for the foot
• FitMi – a full-body digital workout for those with neurological conditions and provides feedback and promotes higher repetition completion.  The cost is $650-$1250 (plus extra for tablet or computer)
• Music Glove – helps improve finger and hand function; shows improvement in hand function after 6, 45-minute sessions and the cost are $360 for the program
• NeuroBall by Neurofenix – a wireless, digital ball that connects to a tablet and helps treat upper extremity impairment from neurological conditions or injury.  This device can be leased for $200 per month

(AANLCP Journal, Volume XXII, Issue 3, pg. 14-15)

Consideration in life care planning should be given to at-home neurological rehabilitation technologies in conjunction with traditional therapy and home exercise programs, especially for the younger populations who may find traditional exercises repetitive and “boring” in a world heavily reliant on technology.

For further reading on this topic, see Christina Lighthill’s article titled “Neurological Rehabilitation at Home: Tech-Based Solutions” in the Journal of Nurse Life Care Planning.

Reference

Lighthill, C. (2022). Neurological Rehabilitation at Home: Tech-Based Solutions. Journal of Nurse Life Care Planning,12(3), pg. 13-18.