A team of researchers from the University of Southern California believe that robots can help assist more efficiently with stroke recovery than what traditional treatment plans have been able to accomplish.
According to the USC team, the robotic system isn’t necessarily about treating stroke symptoms, but rather in measuring data more accurately. This is because strokes tend to impact one side of the body more than the other. As a result of this, when someone is at home attempting to complete a task, they are more likely to rely on their stronger side instead of their weaker side. This makes it so there is a greater need for improvement on one side of the body than the other. Just how much is needed can be difficult to measure by a person, but when strength and use are not re-established, the individual in question is at a much higher risk of injury in the future.
Robotic sensors can do a much better job of measuring the need here, giving therapists and doctors more accurate information when it comes to rehabilitation needs. It can give people the info needed to more accurately design a rehab plan and help improve recovery.
Across the globe, there are about 15 million people that suffer from a stroke each year. Many of these individuals do not suffer from serious symptoms, but many do. Finding better ways to treat these people can help to reduce their need for senior care and ensure that they live a higher quality of life for longer–on their own terms. About 75 percent of those people that have a stroke deal with some sort of long term issue as a result of that stroke.
After someone has a stroke, they are likely to face a large number of difficulties. These include disability, weakness, paralysis, trouble with speaking and communication, cognitive impairment, emotional difficulty, and more. If these issues could be avoided or treated more effectively, the negative toll that a stroke has on someone could be drastically reduced.
These are not the only struggles that someone will face after a stroke. Physical therapy is one of the most common treatments for stroke recovery and it can be quite effective, but PT can
They are also likely to face social and relationship issues. A stroke is a devastating event, it makes sense that it would have a negative impact on every aspect of people’s lives. However, because it takes such a fierce toll on someone’s physical health and ability, it is easy to forget about the other parts that are impacted.
That’s why it’s important for us to find methods that will help people recover from a stroke more efficiently and quickly. If robots can help us to achieve this, then it is something that we should actively pursue.
Part of stroke recovery could mean extra support getting through each day. In-home care can help assist with this and allow someone to stay in their own home for longer. It’s not for everyone, but many seniors will thrive under this type of care.
If you have questions about how care can help you and your family, please reach out today.
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