Parkinson’s Patients Benefit from HandTutor and ArmTutor

Alexander Michael Crizzle, MPH and  Ian J Newhouse, PhD writing for the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine

ask whether physical exercise is beneficial for persons with Parkinson’s disease?

They reviewed existing studies evaluating the effectiveness of physical exercise on mortality, mobility, strength, balance, and activities of daily living (ADL) for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.

 Only patients with PD were included in the intervention study.  The intervention included some form of physical or therapeutic exercise after which  the effects of the physical exercise were evaluated.

 Outcomes in the studies were measured in terms of physical improvements in patients with PD, such as improved axial rotation, functional reach, flexibility, balance, muscle strength, short-step gait, and mobility. All studies reviewed show that exercise improves overall performance in PD patients. Improvements were measured using standardized tests and other measurement scales.

The results of the  research  support the hypothesis that patients with PD improve their physical performance and activities of daily living through exercise.

The TUTOR system was developed to afford Parkinson’s patients  a comfortable and challenging set of exercises that could return at least a modicum of normal movement to their affected limbs.

The  HANDTUTOR and its sister devices (ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, 3DTUTOR) have become a key system in neuromuscular rehabilitation for Parkinson’s patients as well as those suffering from stroke,brain and spinal injuries, MS, CP and other limb movement limitations. These innovative devices implement an impairment based program with augmented motion feedback that encourages motor learning through intensive active exercises and movement practice.

The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, 3DTUTOR consist of a wearable glove or braces that detect limb mobility showing the patient how much active or assisted active movement he is actually doing. The rehabilitation software uses special rehabilitation games to set a new target for this movement in terms of the patient’s ability to move his limb. The devices then measure the limb mobility and give feedback on the success of the patient in trying to gain this new movement objective. In this  way the patient is given  feedback that allows him to understand which effort is more successful. The TUTOR system provides exercises that are challenging and motivating and allow for repetitive and intensive exercise practice.

The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are now part of the rehabilitation program of leading U.S. German, Italian, French, UK and other foreign hospital rehabilitation clinics. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.

The Tutors Assist Physical Rehabilitation for Wheelchair Bound Patients

Image via Wikipedia

A study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation on February16, 2012 and  written by Marlene Aparecida PhD etal discusses  how individuals with Spinal Cord Injury are affected by wheelchair sports on their respiratory muscle strength and thoracic mobility.

 Thirty male subjects with chronic spinal cord injury took part in the study and were divided into four groups: sedentary subjects with quadriplegia, wheelchair rugby athletes with quadriplegia, sedentary subjects with paraplegia, and wheelchair basketball athletes with paraplegia . The study’s main outcome measures were maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure and the respiratory coefficients at the axillary and xiphoid levels.

The conclusions reached were that physical training seems to have a positive influence on respiratory muscle strength and thoracic mobility, especially in subjects with quadriplegia.

Physical training for incomplete paralysis is one of the issues that is accommodated with the use of the TUTOR system.

 The newly developed HANDTUTOR and its sister devices (ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, 3DTUTOR) have become a key system in neuromuscular rehabilitation and physical therapy for interactive rehabilitation exercise. These innovative devices implement an impairment based program with augmented feedback and encourage motor learning through intensive active exercises. These exercises are challenging and motivating and allow for repetitive training tailored to the patient’s performance. This training is then customized by the occupational and physical therapist to ensure that the patient stays motivated to do intensive repetitive manual therapy and exercise practice.

The HANDTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, ARMTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are now  part of the rehabilitation program of leading U.S. and foreign hospitals with theTUTORS being used in clinics and in the home. Home care patients can be supported by the occupational and physical therapist offering tele-rehabilitation. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.

How the Hand, Arm, Leg and 3D Tutor System Assists the TBI Patient

Inpatient rehabilitation is designed to help a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patient improve function after a moderate to severe TBI event. Amongst other  problems faced by the patient are those of a physical nature i.e. loss of strength, coordination and movement. Most TBI rehabilitation inpatients participate in physical therapy and occupational therapy in an individual or group format.

One of the professionals that is assigned to the patient is a physical therapist (PT) or Physiotherapist. The PT will help the patient improve physical function and mobility. The PT’s role is to teach the patient to be as physically independent and as safe as possible within the environment. This is accomplished through therapeutic exercises and re-education of muscles and nerves with the goal of restoring normal function. Specific goals to be accomplished in the physical therapy gym include strengthening muscles and improving endurance, walking and balance, reaching, eating and dressing. In short the patient needs to relearn fine and gross movement ability.

The other professional that will be involved is an Occupatonal Therapist (OT). The OT provides training in activities of daily living to help the patient become become more independent. The OT will work with the patient to improve  strength, balance and trunk control amongst other skills. These therapists will also teach exercises that strengthen muscles used in speech and swallowing.

After inpatient rehabilitation, when the patient has shown sufficient improvement to leave the hospital, the question arises as to how rehabilitation will continue. This may become a problem for those patients that are well enough to be at home but not well enough to travel for therapy. At times an outpatient clinic may be found that is not too far from the patient’s home.

Luckily a solution exists that solves many, if not all, of these issues. Called the TUTOR system it is a set of devices (HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, 3DTUTOR) that have been recently developed to be used in physical rehabilitation of TBI patients both inpatient and outpatient and at home via telerehabilitation. The TUTORS can help the patient regain strength, movement and coordination of their affected limbs. Guided by a professional physical therapist the TBI patient will have a brace or glove attached to an appropriate area of his body and begin to “play” games on an attached computer which has  dedicated software geared to improving the various muscles and limbs of the patient. In addition the progress made by the patient is then monitored and recorded so as to customize future sessions where further progress is achieved.

The TUTORS are currently in use in leading U.S. and foreign hospitals and clinics and are available for children as young as 4 years of age. The TUTORS are FDA and CE certified. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for further information.

The Tutor System ArmTutor LegTutor as a Tool in Cancer Rehabilitation

Image via Wikipedia

Cancer and treatment can cause physical problems including pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. These may then interfere with life in a variety of ways including physically, emotionally and practically. While not all cancer survivors need rehabilitation services that are guided by health care professionals, most will need to at least work on improving strength and stamina.

Expert advice and guidance may help to improve health and ability more quickly and to a greater degree. There are many resources and therapies to help cancer survivors with fatigue, pain, and overall ability to function. Survivors who want to continue to work or return to employment may benefit from rehabilitation services to help them do so.

Some survivors, though, may have  muscular or orthopedic problems and there may be uncertainty about how much to exercise or how to best exercise. A plan for rehabilitation can help a survivor to move forward while being as active as possible.

Each member of the rehabilitation team is likely to also work with the patient to develop a plan for their specific area of expertise. For example, a physical therapist will develop a plan to help  recover physical strength and abilities. When that occurs it would advantageous to find the best method of doing so. This is where the TUTOR system comes in. The TUTORS ( HANDTUTOR, ARMTUITOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR) have been developed to create an intensive exercise program for patients who have suffered from upper or lower extremity surgeries and many other disabling diseases. By involving oneself in the best exercise program normal  movement returns to the affected limb.

The newly developed HANDTUTOR, for example, has become a key system in neuromuscular rehabilitation for TBI and stroke victims and can be used for cancer patients and those recovering from spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s, MS, CP and other limb movement limitations. A plan for rehabilitation can help a survivor to move forward while being as active as possible.  The HandTutor is a hand therapy tool used by occupational and physical therapists. These innovative devices implement an impairment based program with augmented motion feedback that encourage motor learning through intensive active exercises and movement practice. The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR consist of wearable glove and braces that detect limb movements showing the patient how much active or assisted active movement they are actually accomplishing. The rehabilitation software uses special rehabilitation games to set a new target  in terms of the patient’s ability to move their limb. The devices then measure the limb movement and give feedback on the success of the patient in  this new objective. In this  way the patient is given  feedback that allows the patient to understand which effort is more successful in allowing them to move their affected limb again. Subsequently the TUTOR system provides exercises that are challenging and motivating and allow for repetitive and intensive exercise practice.

The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are now part of the rehabilitation program of leading U.S. German, Italian, French, UK and other foreign hospitals. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.

Tutor System – ArmTutor LegTutor Uses Intensive Exercise in Parkinson’s Therapy Treatment

Published in KENTPATCH. Dateline February 18, 2012

Dr. Angela Ridgel, an assistant professor of exercise science/physiology, at Kent State University is spearheading two projects that involve exercise therapy which is exactly what the TUTOR system is based on.

The  projects  help individuals with Parkinson’s disease improve their cognitive and motor functions through exercise therapy that can delay the progression of Parkinson’s and lower the Parkinson’s medications dosages..

” I believe, and my research is proving, that we can use exercise therapy to promote improvements in the way the nervous system works and improve the lives of these individuals,”  said Dr. Ridgel.

The first research study is called “The Parkinson’s Disease Cognitive Intervention”.

With support from Kent State’s Dr. John Gunstad, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Ellen Glickman, professor of exercise physiology, Ridgel is currently studying the impact of upper and lower extremity exercise on cognition and motor function in addition to cerebral blood flowand cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.The goal is to add additional exercise therapy to previous methods.

Dr. Ridgel’s findings have shown  improvements in cognitive function, mobility and oxygen saturation in the brain following comprehensive exercise intervention.

Other extensive psychological evaluations measuring memory, attention, problem-solving and language may lead to additional methods for Parkinson’s rehabilitation,according to Dr. Gunstad.

Ridgel will present the results of the study in May at the American College of Sports Medicine conference .

The second research study involves a “smart bike” that would allow the therapists to create a database of symptoms and responses. The database could then design a cycling program tailored to an individual’s unique challenges and capabilities.

Beginning in June, Ridgel will use the “smart bike” to assess the  individual’s effort, performance, skill level and therapeutic value. The  goal is to devise a computer-driven system that alters resistance, speed and time to benefit the individual.  The ”bike” will produce a customized exercise program to benefit individuals with Parkinson’s.

 The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are all devised to implement an intensive and customized exercise  program.

 They have become a key system in neuromuscular rehabilitation for stroke victims and those recovering from brain and spinal injuries, Parkinson’s, MS, CP and other limb movement limitations. These innovative devices implement an impairment based program with augmented motion feedback that encourages motor learning through intensive active exercises and movement practice.

The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR consist of wearable glove and braces that detect limb movement showing the patient how much active or assisted active movement they are actually doing. The rehabilitation software uses special rehabilitation games to set a new target for this movement in terms of the patient’s ability to move their limb. The devices then measure the limb movement and give feedback on the success of the patient in trying to gain this new movement objective. In this  way the patient is given movement feedback that allows him to understand which effort is more successful and gets him to move his affected limb again. In this  way the TUTOR system provides exercises that are challenging and motivating and allow for repetitive and intensive exercise practice. The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are now part of the rehabilitation program of leading U.S. German, Italian, French, UK and other foreign hospitals. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.

ArmTutor Used in Conjunction With New Tasmanian Table.

In a story released on February 19, 2012 for ABC News a Tasmanian hospital has developed a special table to be used by stroke victims to assist them with their physical therapy. Staff from the  Launceston General Hospital and volunteers from Technical Aids for  the Disabled in Tasmania have developed this special tool over a period of 5 years which would be very helpful while stroke patients use the ARMTUTOR.

The newly developed ARMTUTOR can play an integral part in post stroke and other upper limb  rehabilitation. The ARMTUTOR  provides the physiotherapist and occupational therapist the ability to customize manual therapy for the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Together with its sister devices (HANDTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, 3DTUTOR) it has been developed to allow for functional rehabilitation of the upper extremity – hand, arm and lower extremity — leg, hip. The ARMTUTOR system consists of an ergonomic wearable arm brace and dedicated rehabilitation software.

 The ARMTUTOR system allows for the occupational and physical therapist to implement biomechanical evaluations which include speed, passive/active range of motion and motion analysis of the upper extremity. This, to best customize the shoulder and elbow exercises provided by the ARMTUTOR. In addition, quantitative biomechanical data allows for objective evaluation and rehabilitation treatment follow up by the occupational and physical therapist. The ARMTUTOR rehabilitation concept is based on performing controlled and motivating exercise rehabilitation practice at a patient customized level with real time accurate feedback on the patient’s performance.  The exercises are designed in the form of challenging games that are suitable for a wide variety of  orthopedic injury and disease. The games challenge the patient to perform the exercise task to their best ability.

The ARMTUTOR allows for isolated and a combination of elbow and three directional shoulder treatment and is used after arthroscopic surgery procedures. The system provides detailed exercise performance instructions and precise feedback on the patient’s performance. This encourages motivation. Controlled exercise of multijoints within the normal movement pattern prevents the development of undesired and compensatory joint movement and ensures better performance of functional tasks.

The ARMTUTOR system is being used by many leading rehabilitation centers worldwide and has full FDA and CE certification. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM

Post Breast Surgery Physical Therapy Can Be Enhanced by the ArmTutor

Kelli Easterling reporting in YOURDAILYJOURNAL.COM in February 2012 reports on the advice that after breast surgery, lymph node removal or breast radiation women should get involved in exercise to help in the recovery according to health care professionals. There are DVDs that explain how that can be done. It is vital that women who endure these kind of cancer surgeries return to a normal full range of motion so that they are able to resume a normal lifestyle.

One of the successful methods of such exercise can include the ARMTUTOR.

The ARMTUTOR system has been developed to allow for functional rehabilitation of the arm, shoulder, elbow, wrist or anywhere in the upper extremity. The system consists of an ergonomic wearable arm brace and dedicated physical rehabilitation software. The ARMTUTOR system allows for interactive rehabilitation exercise and  a range of biomechanical evaluations including speed, passive and active range of motion and motion analysis of the upper extremity. This quantitative data allows physical and occupational therapists (PT) (OT) to customize the right exercise parameters to the patient‘s movement ability and report on the patient’s exercise progress. The ARMTUTOR rehabilitation concept is based on performing controlled and repetitive exercise rehabilitation practice. It does this through the use of various games which are set at a patient-customized level with real time accurate feedback on the patient’s performance.  The rehabilitation games are suitable for a wide variety of neurological and orthopedic injuries and diseases.

The games challenge the patient to perform the exercise at a customized difficulty level. This level is set by the OT or PT and encourages the patient to do intensive repetitive exercise practice.

The ARMTUTOR allows for isolated and a combination of elbow and three directional shoulder and arm treatments. The system provides detailed exercise performance instructions and precise feedback on the patient’s exercise performance. Overall, controlled exercise of multijoints within a normal movement pattern will prevent the patient developing an undesired or compensatory joint movement pattern and this will ensure better performance of functional tasks.

The ARMTUTOR and its sister devices (LEGTUTOR, HANDTUTOR, 3DTUTOR) are used wordwide in hospitals and clinics and are certified by the FDA and CE. They can be used at home through telerehabilitation. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information….

Tutors – LegTutor as a Supplement for Elderly Exercise Programs

Dr. Maria A. Fiatarone etal conducted a study and published it in the New England Journal of Medicine. The subject of the study was “Exercise Training and Nutritional Supplementation for Physical Frailty in Elderly People“.

Despite  undernutrition and disuse of skeletal muscle that  are often cited as potentially reversible causes of frailty amongst the elderly , the efficacy of interventions targeted specifically at these deficits has not been carefully studied until now.

 A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was held comparing progressive resistance exercise training, multinutrient supplementation, both interventions, and neither in 100 frail nursing home residents over a 10-week period.

The conclusions reached were that high-intensity resistance exercise training is a feasible and effective means of counteracting muscle weakness and physical frailty in  elderly people. In contrast, multinutrient supplementation without concomitant exercise does not reduce muscle weakness or physical frailty.

In addition to these training sessions and nutrient supplements the elderly can avail themselves of modern devices such as the HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR.

 These TUTORS are innovative motion capture gloves and arm and leg braces that implement an impairment oriented training based program with augmented feedback and encourage motor learning through intensive and repetitive exercises. Intensive exercise practice is the physical and occupational therapists tool to improve the patient’s sensory, motor and cognitive movement ability. The  HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR use movement feedback and dedicated rehabilitation games to  make sure that the exercises performed by  patients who suffered stroke, brain/spinal cord injuries, Cerebral Palsy and other upper or lower limb disabilities or surgeries  are challenging and motivating.This is because, the physiotherapist or occupational therapist can tailor the repetitive exercises to the patient’s exercise performance ability.

Currently part of the rehabilitation program of leading U.S. and foreign hospitals the TUTORS are also used in clinics and at home through the use of innovative  telerehabilitation using the internet. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.

The Tutor System – HandTutor LegTutor and its Capabilities in African Rehabilitation Therapy

In a research study conducted by  Dr. Andrew J. Haig for the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine about the availability of medical rehabilitative care for people living in Antartica and Sub Saharan Africa it was found that for the Antarticans there was no major problem as when there was a need for such care the patient would merely be flown to world class healthcare facilities elsewhere. However for the approximately 78 million affected people on the African continent there was no such solution. Africa basically has no physical and rehabilitation medicine training programs, no professional organizations, no specialty board requirements, and no practising physicians in the field as of the time of the study.

Enter the TUTOR system with its versatility and availability in addition to it’s relatively low cost. The patient that suffers from a stroke, head/spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Radial/Ulnar nerve or  Brachial Plexus injuries and other upper or lower joint issues can avail himself of this state of the art rehabilitation device. The HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are recently developed braces and gloves that are placed strategically on affected parts of the body and then with the dedicated software that has been  created exclusively for the TUTORS provide for intensive and repetitive exercises using various games.

The games challenge the patient to perform the exercises at a customized difficulty level. This level is set by the OT or PT, who can be located remotely through the use of telerehabiliation, and encourages the patient to do intensive repetitive exercise practice.

Although foreign charities and aid groups along with local governments would have to be involved the possibilities are endless as to the success the TUTORS can have with this population. The TUTOR system is FDA and CE certified and can be used by children as well as adults. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.

Tutor system – LegTutor effective tool with intensive robotic and manual gait training in sub-acute stroke

Image via Wikipedia

In the February edition of Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation Dr. Conesa and his group from Functional Rehabilitation Department and the Brain Injury Unit, Neurorehabilitation Hospital Institut Guttmann Barcelona, Spain and the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,  USA report that 8 weeks of intensive physical rehabilitation including robotic and manual gait training was well tolerated by early stroke patients. The group saw significant gains in function with outcome measures including improved walking speed and balance scales. In particular, robotic training on the mid-level gait dysfunction group showed the best improvement. The gait training was split up into robotic gait training from 0-4 weeks and manual gait training weeks 4-8.

The LegTutor is a Leg brace that measures hip and knee movement. it is used to customize isolated and intensive manual gait exercise practice and give the patients augmented feedback on their performance. The 3DTutor can be used to give intensive ankle exercise practice and assist in treating drop foot.