The sooner you start rehab after a stroke, brain injury or accident, the better your chances for recovering lost skills. And technology has become a key aspect of treatment plans for patients in inpatient rehab. In recognition of National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, here are just a few of the technologies that help patients recover faster in the inpatient rehabilitation programs at Aultman Woodlawn.

Wireless Hand Rehabilitation

A wireless hand rehabilitation system such as the Bioness H200 is worn on your forearm, wrist and hand, activating muscles and nerves. This helps you regain movement for tasks such as reaching, grasping and opening your hand.

Wireless hand rehabilitation systems help improve muscle control, reduce spasms, strengthen weak muscles and help your hand and wrist muscles relearn movements. These systems are small and convenient, allowing you to wear them during hands-on therapy and for daily tasks.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation for the Legs

Electrical muscle stimulation devices like the Bioness L300 Go for the legs can help improve walking ability for patients with foot drop or muscle weakness caused by medical conditions such as stroke and multiple sclerosis.

The system uses built-in sensors to detect your walking speed and patterns in real time. When the device senses the need to lift the foot, it delivers electrical impulses to the muscles that control how you pick up your foot and toes.

The technology can be used in therapy or worn daily to help reduce fall risk, prevent muscle atrophy and improve your range of motion and balance.

BlazePods

BlazePods are wireless, interactive light-up pods used to improve patients’ cognitive and physical skills through reactive training. Therapists use an app to customize programs to target specific rehabilitation needs.

For example, a patient who needs balance training might stand on a surface such as a foam pad and tap the pods as they light up. Or the pods might be mounted on a wall, and a patient with visual deficits can improve their reaction times by practicing tracking and reaching for pods that light up in various visual fields.

“Our therapy team incorporates BlazePods into functional standing, reaching and balance activities,” said Angie Eaton, director of post-acute therapy services at Aultman Woodlawn. “Our patients like them because they offer a fun challenge, and they can see their progress as they master each activity.”

Wii Sports

Believe it or not, video games that engage the whole body are a great way to make rehab enjoyable and effective. “Our team uses Wii Sports to engage patients in fun activities like bowling, tennis or baseball to work on their strength and balance,” Eaton said. “We tailor the sessions to each patient's specific abilities and rehabilitation needs.”

Exercise on the Wii can enhance core strength and overall fitness, while improving balance and hand-eye coordination. The Wii provides a safe, controlled environment for patients to re-practice movements and activities that they might find difficult or dangerous in real life.

“Technology helps our patients engage in fun and meaningful activities that can be used to retrain their brain and muscle function,” Angie said.