Recovering from a stroke is a process that always requires persistence and a customized therapy program with frequent in-person therapy visits. Nonetheless, with the arrival of distant rehabilitation, called “telerehabilitation,” there’s a latest beacon of hope for stroke survivors who’re in search of an alternative choice to traditional in-person rehabilitation.

Telerehabilitation is an modern approach that uses various types of telecommunications technologies to facilitate the delivery of personalized rehabilitation services on to the patient at home. But what makes it stand out? What makes it so fascinating to people on the trail to recovery?

The article describes the difference between distant rehabilitation and traditional rehabilitation.

Accessibility and luxury

Distant rehabilitation programs seamlessly integrate into your or your family members’ lives in probably the most convenient way possible – at home. The fundamental advantage of telerehabilitation is that it eliminates distance barriers and restrictions resulting from the clinical schedule.

For stroke survivors who could have difficulty with transportation or experience a decline in physical energy, the power to receive therapy within the comfort of their very own lounge fills a spot, especially for individuals who live in rural areas or have limited health care resources.

Distant rehabilitation allows patients to satisfy with a professional therapist for assessment and treatment visits via secure videoconferencing platforms. Physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy will be performed on this virtual format.

Personalized approach

Transitioning from traditional outpatient rehabilitation to a distant rehabilitation model is greater than only a change of location. Many individuals consider that virtual rehabilitation is a shift towards more personalized care. When your living space becomes a rehabilitation clinic, every fork, cup and stitch of clothing turns right into a therapeutic tool.

Mastering on a regular basis activities after a stroke requires energetic participation in rehabilitation sessions tailored to reap the benefits of the brain’s neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself based on experience, which plays a key role in relearning skills affected by stroke. It allows the brain to adapt and reorganize, making it easier to amass lost skills.

Through guided exercises and real-life simulations, distant rehabilitation ensures that every movement serves a functional purpose and aids in post-stroke reconstruction efforts. For instance, during a telerehabilitation session, a therapist can virtually guide the patient through exercises resembling using kitchen utensils that imitate cutting food. Consistent practice stimulates brain activity, increasing your ability to perform motor tasks in real-life situations, resembling using kitchen utensils.

Case study: Imago Rehabilitation in distant stroke rehabilitation

Lately, the necessity for alternatives to traditional inpatient stroke rehabilitation has increased. To satisfy this need, Imago rehabilitation developed a private virtual rehabilitation program born at Harvard University. The distant rehabilitation program is meant for people recovering after a stroke.

Imago supports stroke survivors through every stage of recovery, combining leading distant rehabilitation technologies with a deep-rooted commitment to patient-centered care to speed up progress. The Imago Rehab team uses a mix of technologies depending on everyone’s needs and should recommend a number of of the next:

• Robot-assisted therapy: Robotic devices help with controlled, precise movements and repetition during therapy visits and may help assess improvement.
• Digital games and applications: Gamified therapy and apps for stroke patients are interactive games that develop cognitive skills and motor skills. Apps could make your recovery program fun and interesting and supply consistency between therapy sessions.
• Brain-computer interfaces (BCI): BCIs may promote the reconstruction of damaged brain networks. In response, they translate brain signals into commands that control the movement of the external device.
• Functional electrical stimulation (FES): FES is a treatment that involves delivering electrical impulses that activate chosen muscles and nerves, causing the muscles to contract in order that they’ll perform movements resembling raising an arm or moving a foot. It may well improve range of motion, muscle strength and functional use of limbs.
• Virtual reality (VR): VR simulations recreate real-life scenarios resembling walking down a busy street or reaching for items on a shelf. This technology promotes the practice of functional skills through repetition in a secure and interesting way.
• Augmented Reality (AR): AR introduces virtual objects and visual instructions into the patient’s environment, tracking progress in real time. Physical and cognitive exercises will be adapted at various levels, depending on individual needs.

Using technology for higher recovery after stroke

Research shows that consistent, high repetitions are key to stroke recovery. Therapists often call this mass practice. Subsequently, it’s crucial to perform high repetitions of skills or movements that require improvement. That is why therapy and doing exercises at home between therapeutic visits are so vital.

At its core, distant rehabilitation is the strategic use of technology to complement the therapeutic experience. Full-body neurorehabilitation devices resembling Flint Rehab’s FitMi and MusicGlove are excellent examples of using digital tools to support engaging, precise and measurable recovery processes. These devices not only tailor rehabilitation to individual needs, but in addition add a component of enjoyment and motivation. Your Imago team can work with you to assist optimize the usage of neurorehabilitation devices you’ll have at home.

Imago therapists give attention to physical recovery, but in addition support a way of strength and resilience amongst stroke survivors. Your Imago therapist will create a plan tailored to your specific recovery needs, including exercises that encourage collective practice and enable you to stay motivated to attain your unique goals. With consistency and commitment, your brain can heal after a stroke. Furthermore, through this partnership with Flint Rehab, your treatment team maximizes the advantages of your patients’ home rehabilitation devices.

Does distant rehabilitation work?

Everyone has a novel long-distance recovery story. Although everyone’s path to stroke recovery is different, learning how others have overcome obstacles will be inspiring and comforting.

One among my favorite telerehabilitation success stories is that of Susan, an Imago Rehab patient who suffered a stroke. Here is Susan’s recovery story:

Susan’s rehabilitation journey

After the stroke, Susan returned to her small town, where she faced serious difficulties in accessing specialized stroke rehabilitation. Local clinics, primarily focused on sports medicine, lacked the expertise required for stroke recovery. After almost 18 months of outpatient rehabilitation, Susan has made little or no progress in restoring function to her affected arm.

Beyond the physical effects, this lack of progress had a profound impact on her mental well-being, leading her to wonder if there was any hope for recovery. Susan’s discovery of Imago Rehab was a turning point in her recovery. Deciding on Imago’s distant rehabilitation services, she began a customized therapy plan developed by experienced therapists.

This plan wasn’t nearly exercise; it was also about incorporating therapeutic activities into her each day life, transforming mundane tasks into a possibility for rehabilitation. The outcomes were simply revolutionary. Susan gained many latest skills, significantly improved the functionality of her sick arm and, most significantly, restored her faith in the potential for recovery.

Distant rehabilitation and the trail to recovery

If you happen to decide to pursue distant rehabilitation, work closely together with your medical team and therapists to develop a customized telerehabilitation plan that aligns together with your goals. With commitment and consistent repetition, you are taking steps every single day to extend your independence and achieve your goals.

If you happen to would really like to learn more about Imago Rehab’s distant rehabilitation services, please visit their website at www.imagorehab.com.