*image taken from <http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42562000/jpg/_42562715_physio203.jpg>
According to a February 18, 2007 news article in the Medical News Today, “Robotic Physiotherapist’ Could Treat Patients and Cut Waiting Times,” a robotic system to treat physiotherapy patients has an ability to cut waiting times and enable patients to receive treatment outside of clinics.
A robotic system, known as NeXOS system, is programmed by physiotherapist to remember and repeat specific limb movements remotely so when the exercise is taking place, the physiotherapist can monitor patient’s progress from another location. NeXOS also have an ability to change the range of movement, speed, resistance, and amount of exercises in order to ensure each exercise is tailored to the patient’s need. Dr. Sue Mawson is one of the researchers who invented NeXOS system. She says that the NeXOS system still needs to be trialed clinically, but it has a possibility to remove the need for all treatment to be face-to-face.
The outcomes which NeXOS system could bring are enormous. The physiotherapist can monitor progress, manage the program remotely, and offer a flexible schedule when a patient needs face-to-face session. The researchers are planning to develop NeXOS system to be used as a teaching tool for e-learning or as adjunct to rehabilitation.
Source: Medical News Today <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/63187.php>
