11-26-12
Computers & Robots Helping Stroke Patients Re-Learn Skills for Living
Experts in Stroke Issues to Share Research and Best Practices
at the American Occupational Therapy Association's Specialty Conference, Nov. 30–Dec. 1 in Baltimore
BALTIMORE, MD — Did you know that a computer program can help a stroke survivor re-learn the physical motions necessary to independently use the toilet? Or that computerized card, hunting, and fishing games can motivate someone to perform the high number of repetitions and movements needed to regain the skills to perform daily tasks by making therapy fun?
Every day, occupational therapy practitioners are helping clients recovering from stroke to overcome physical impairments with fairly low-tech methods.
"We're breaking down the functional task into components and utilizing the same tasks while the client is playing a game or doing an activity," explains Douglas Rakoski, MA, OTR/L, ATP, with the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. "To perform toilet hygiene, the client has to be able to internally rotate and reach behind. We brought up a card game on the computer that the client liked, where he touched the screen to move the cursor, but to do a left click, we took a switch and we safety pinned it to the back of his pants. So he's doing the same motion, but he's doing a high number of repetitions so he can practice the movement to be able to reach."
Rakoski and colleague Robert C. Ferguson, OTR/L, will demonstrate how technology is aiding stroke patients as more than 300 other occupational therapy clinicians, educators, researchers, and students gather in Baltimore on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2012, to attend the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA's) specialty conference, Adults With Stroke.
Focusing on science, innovation, and evidence, outstanding speakers from across the U.S. will come together share the most recent breakthroughs for helping stroke survivors. Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).
Occupational therapy can be applied to many facets of stroke recovery. In addition to technology, other conference sessions will cover:
- Treating Stroke as a Chronic Health Condition
- Evidence-Based Findings on Occupational Therapy Stroke Interventions
- Upper Limb Post-Stroke Sensory Impairments
- Creating Dynamic Treatment Programs While Striving for Clinical Excellence
- Psychological and Emotional Impairments as a Result of a Stroke
- Changes in Participation Following a Mild Stroke
- Strategies for Addressing Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain
Media are invited to attend sessions, chat with professionals, and learn more about occupational therapy. This conference will include many topics that demonstrate how occupational therapy is improving the lives of stroke survivors every day. To learn more, see this full listing of presentations. All sessions will take place at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna St., Baltimore.
To attend the conference, schedule an interview with an event speaker, expert, or occupational therapy practitioner, call Media Relations Manager Katie Riley, 301-652-6611, ext. 2963, or e-mail, kriley@aota.org. For more information on this specialty conference, visit www.aota.org.
Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association(AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA's major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.
