Stroke patients receive home rehabilitation
Stroke affects everyone differently, and it is difficult to say how much of a recovery is possible. While rehabilitation is not a cure, it does allow patients to become as independent as possible and attain the best possible quality of life. The EU-funded project REHAB@HOME (Engaging game-based home rehabilitation for improved quality of life) designed and developed an open-solution information technology device that allows the patient to exercise at home. The aim was for the device to offer a set of exercises, developed in close collaboration with a physician, based on personalised serious games adapted to the patient's interests. The games are geared toward motivating the patient to continue working. Furthermore, they can be a social experience, done with family and friends. Project members produced a project handbook containing information and rules necessary for good cooperation and communication. The team interviewed patients, caregivers and clinicians at two rehabilitation centres to further guide the development of the project. The team also developed a prototype of the REHAB@HOME platform. The server was put in place and several end-user devices (Wii, Kinect, Sifteo Cubes) were evaluated. The prototype was also introduced to patients, family members and professionals, and a framework for a more extensive pilot was developed. This project has the potential to fulfil the needs of patients and caregivers for home rehabilitation, increasing their motivation and adherence to the programme. Clinicians will be able to monitor their patients at home, lowering the cost and time needed to supervise each patient. Over time, home-based rehabilitation may solve two problems at once. It should expedite patient recovery while providing an answer to the challenge of increasing rehabilitation costs.
Keywords
Home-rehabilitation, patients, stroke, caregivers, patient recovery
