Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service I (Projects aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery to meet international standards)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung KKY(1), Chan JSP(1), Yeung EMP(2), Chak NNT(1), Cheung GCM(1), Wong JTM(1), Tai ML (2), Yu TKK (2), Leung KKL(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Physiotherapy Department (2)Department of Rehabilitation, Kowloon Hospital
Introduction :
Jockey Club Integrated Rehabilitation Day Centre(JCIRDC) opened in January2022, equipped with advanced-technology equipment in the Physiotherapy area to enhance balance and gait training program. Physiotherapist offers training for a range of supported-balance exercise including virtual-reality components for low-physical-ability-patients to advanced training that challenges the vestibular-system of high-ability-patient, which maximizes patients with different rehabilitation-potential. The gait-training-program incorporates smart initiatives such as a mobile gait laboratory to capture gait biomechanics and computerized treadmills that enhance gait-speed and enable specific exercises for various types of walking patterns from walking forward, backward, up-slope, or down-slope gait. These facilitations incorporate real-time assessment and feedback of the center-of-mass position. Restoring balanced gait function is essential for enabling independent daily living, facilitating reintegration into work and social life, particularly among young patients.
Objectives :
The aim was to investigate the effect of neurological rehabilitation through Physiotherapy with smart rehabilitation technology in JCIRDC on functional activity, walking and balance.
Methodology :
The study included neuro-rehabilitation patients with OPAS NRDP code who received Physiotherapy in JCIRDC from 1April 2022, to 30September 2023. Tailored balance and gait Physiotherapy program were provided for neuro-rehabilitation by using different smart equipment. The Physiotherapists assessed outcome-scores of Modified-Functional-Ambulation-Classification(MFAC), walking-distance, walking-independency and Modified-Barthel-Index(MBI), Berg-Balance-Scale(BBS) on-admission and at-discharge. The total number of treatment sessions was recorded. Data-analysis was performed using SPSS23.0software.
Result & Outcome :
155 discharged patients from the neuro-rehabilitation service were included for assessment. Majority of the patients 86.5%(n=134) had experienced stroke and 13.5%(n=21) had other conditions. The average age of patients in neuro-rehabilitation service was 64.45±13.59, with 45.2%(n=70) being female. At JCIRDC, neuro-day patients received an average of 16.89±9.31 Physiotherapy training-sessions. The results of MFAC and walking-distance revealed improvement(p≤0.05) from admission to discharge. One category of median progression from V to VI was demonstrated at discharge. After complete the neuro-rehabilitation program in JCIRDC, 20.8%patient could walk under supervision and more than half of patients (53.7%) were able to walk independently. A significant improvement was observed in MBI (72.91±23.19 on-admission to79.09±21.30 at discharge, p≤0.05) and BBS (46.88±10.04 on-admission to 50.08±7.65 at-discharge, p≤0.05). The high BBS score suggests that the patients have reduced risk of falls and are capable of participating in various activities with confidence leading to a better quality of life. These findings indicated there were enhancements in functional-mobility, activities and balance among the patients undergoing smart neuro-rehabilitation through Physiotherapy at JCIRDC.
