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ExercisAbilities now offers the REAL® Immersive Virtual Reality System

August 18, 2020MelanieUncategorizedWeekly Update

A NEW REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY USING VIRTUAL REALITY FOR UPPER BODY REHABILITATION

ExercisAbilities now offers the REAL® Immersive System, a new rehabilitation technology that uses virtual reality designed to motivate patients to complete their full course of therapy. The immersive, full presence system can be used to support patients requiring upper body rehabilitation as a result of neurological or musculoskeletal injuries. An effective rehabilitation program can help patients achieve their ultimate goal of improved cognitive and/or physical function. To be considered effective, therapy must be performed with more intensity and frequency over longer time periods. Data suggests that exercises that engage and encourage patients, as well as vary in type, may affect motivation and, as a result, impact patient compliance. 1

Virtual Reality and Rehabilitation

Virtual Reality and Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (VR) is a hardware and software technology that has been shown to motivate patients to adhere to their prescribed course of rehabilitation. Furthermore, VR can be used to improve range of motion and induce neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. 2

Virtual Reality transports patients to a virtual world in which they feel fully immersed. In this virtual environment, patients view their body as a virtual image (avatar) engaged in activities that would not be feasible in the actual world. The full presence, virtual avatar mirrors every movement a patient makes in real time, which helps the brain accept the avatar as the patient’s own body.3 Virtual reality software also often employs popular video game elements such as variability, rewards, and progress tracking to maximize patient enjoyment and engagement. Collectively, these virtual reality features encourage patient compliance with a rehabilitation plan.4

 

What is the REAL® Immersive System?

The REAL® System is an FDA-cleared, upper body rehabilitation technology that uses virtual reality in a healthcare setting. It creates an engaging world designed to motivate patients to do more sessions over a longer time frame, and to perform exercises with more intensity. The wireless system contains a headset, body sensors, and a tablet that is used by the therapist to administer and monitor therapy sessions. All exercises are performed by adult patients in a seated position, as prescribed and supervised by a therapist.

How does the REAL® System work?

The REAL® System makes therapy fun! Upon donning the headset, the patient is immediately immersed in Happy ValleyTM, a charming world inhabited by playful penguins. Six body sensors, used to track patient movement data, are fastened to the patient’s upper body with individual use bands. Happy Valley’s adventure begins as the patient performs upper body exercises to help these fun characters grow vegetables and rescue penguins from mountain tops, for example. Using the tablet, the therapist can address each patient’s therapeutic needs by selecting specific activities and monitoring their individual experience. Patient progress is continuously and securely collected by the REAL® System for review by the therapist and patient at the end of each session. {Insert REAL® Immersive System product image here}

For more information or to schedule an appointment with your therapist, call ExercisAbilities at 507-259-7570 or email info@exercisabilities.org

References: 1. Stroke Rehabilitation Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web site.https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Post-Stroke-RehabilitationFact-Sheet. May 13, 2019. Accessed July 11, 2019 2. Laver KE, Lange B, George S, Deutsch JE, Saposnik G, Crotty M. Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Nov 20;11:CD008349. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008349.pub 3. Proffitt R, Lange B. Considerations in the efficacy and effectiveness of virtual reality interventions for stroke rehabilitation: Moving the field forward. Phys Ther. 2015;95(3):441-448. doi:10.2522/ptj.20130571 4. Fluet GG, Deutsch JE. Virtual reality for sensorimotor rehabilitation post-stroke: The promise and current state of the field. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Reports. 2013;1(1):9-20. doi:10.1007/s40141-013-0005-2

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