THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408130084
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Physical therapy has entered the age of computerization at Obici Hospital.
While you do your prescribed exercises, the new Biodex Multi-Joint System machine lets you know how you are doing.
``You can do almost any type of exercise,'' said Buck Haney, physical therapist. ``The results are printed out. You can evaluate.''
The machine gives patients immediate feedback, the results shown on a chart and bar graph.
``The more effort by the patient - the graph goes higher,'' Haney said. ``The old machines didn't show how well the patient was doing. He had no feedback.
``The idea,'' he said, ``is to raise the graph to the highest level and fill in the chart.''
Patients are on the machine from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on doctors orders.
``Results depend on patient motivation,'' Haney said. ``We give them the tools to improve themselves. If they're motivated, they can improve quickly.''
The most common problems that put them in therapy in the first place are knee and shoulder injuries and fractured wrists.
``The machine can help problems connected with any major joints,'' Haney said, ``except fingers, toes, the neck and the back.''
Whatever the problem, whatever the need, the machine conforms, enabling patients to engage in the form of exercise best suited to his needs, Haney said.
``Before, you could only do isokinetics,'' Haney said, referring to the exercise that gives the body uniform resistance as the patient bends and straightens.
Some people use Biodex for isometrics - pushing against the machine at various pre-set motions; isotonics is resistance through gravity, the patient using a bar bell, resisting while lifting, finding no resistance as he brings it down.
The gentlest use is justifiably referred to as passive, the machine doing all the work.
The patient does the work and operates the machine, but the therapist is in control, a job that includes checking the easily available data.
When working with new patients, or implementing treatment progression, the therapist can make necessary adjustments quickly and efficiently, a change from the past when machines often required checking computer terminals or getting involved in lengthy keyboard operations.
The onscreen charts and graphics that track a patient's performance and encourage compliance to the rehabilitation plan are psychological advantages to the patient.
The advantage for the therapist is more time with the patient, less time with paperwork. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Vanessa Evans, a licensed practical nurse and certified surgical
technician, used the computer to illustrate hernia repair at Obici
Hospital.
by CNB