When a stroke occurs, the event itself is only the start of what can often be a long road to recovery.
There are various options for survivors that can help improve their quality of life, but picking the right one can be confusing.
Technology is now playing a bigger part than ever before in the rehabilitation process and often delivers life changing results.
Neofect Smart Board
Recovering upper limb function can be a gruelling task, but research has suggested that early intervention after a stroke can speed up the process.
This is where the Neofect Smart Board can help.
Targeting the upper arm and shoulder area, it uses a series of games to improve a person’s functional reach and muscle control.
The exercises that are performed when using the system are similar to something a physiotherapist would prescribe, but come with the added benefit of being fun and engaging.
These games range from things like virtual shopping, cooking games, art-styled games and ping pong.
The Smart Board also provides visual feedback along with a data-driven evaluation program which allows users to view how they are progressing with their recovery.
It can also be used in a home setting, allowing patients to take advantage of the fact that repetition and consistency play a key role in stroke recovery.
GripAble
Another device which helps people overcome upper limb impairment is GripAble.
The handheld device connects to a smartphone app to assess a stroke survivor’s hand and arm movement and allow clinicians to view how they are progressing.
Developed in partnership with a number of leading academic institutions – including Imperial College London – the device showed its efficacy in its testing stage.
One study showed 93 pre cent of patients were able to properly interact with GripAble, while another showed it led to a 40 per cent increase in patients engagement with rehab.
There are now over 3,000 people using GripAble to aid their rehabilitation, with the company recently announcing a further £1.6 million in funding to help roll to device out in the US.
EVA Park
Virtual reality (VR) is something that is making a name for itself in the rehab field.
The life-like environments in VR make rehabilitation feel more applied and realistic, while the games involved allow it to be more enjoyable.
EVA Park is a system which is taking advantage of these strengths, to the advantage of stroke survivors.
As the world’s first multi-user online world, it allows people to experience some everyday tasks in a safe environment, which can be daunting for those in recovery.
This can include normal activities like visiting a virtual supermarket or getting a virtual haircut, to more extravagant experiences like stepping inside Dr Who’s Tardis.
It specifically focuses on those diagnosed with aphasia, which is where someone struggles to comprehend language due to damage to the brain.
As many as 40 per cent of stroke survivors will go through aphasia, meaning EVA Park can have a widespread impact in helping rebuild the confidence of stroke survivors.
SaeboStim Pro
One device that focuses on stimulation rather than exercise is the SaeboStim Pro.
Using neuromuscular electrical stimulation, the appliance attaches to the target area and sends currents which are used to help re-educate the muscles.
It also helps strengthen them which contributes to a recovery in function among stroke survivors.
Electrical stimulation is something that some patients may be uncomfortable with, but studies have found that when used alongside task-based rehab it can improve limb function.
The SaeboStim Pro is portable and has 15 different levels which allows it to be used at all points in the rehab process.
Four Tier Ball Activity
Complex electrical devices are not the only pieces of equipment that Saebo produce to help stroke survivors.
It has bright things back to basics with its Four Tier Ball Activity, which puts more of an emphasis on task-based rehabilitation.
It focuses on increasing activity in the upper arm and elbow by using a simple set up of four coloured balls and four containers.
It comes with a range of games and can be set up using one hand, making it ideal for individuals looking for their rehabilitation process.
