Technology is advancing with each day, and the healthcare field is no exception. Gone are the days when physiotherapy just meant visiting a hospital. Now people want all the expert advice from physiotherapists by sitting in the comfort of their homes.
New therapies and techniques with the use of advanced technology are helping patients with better outcomes than earlier. Recent digital advancements are becoming a game changer in making physiotherapy services available to anybody from anywhere. These advanced therapies and digital technology are changing the landscape of physiotherapy services in India.
Therapists have started using Augmented Reality (AR) to make their patients fit. With the experience that AR provides patients can complete their daily exercises more efficiently. People with walking and mobility related disorders can recover effectively just because a dash of fun element has been added to their exercise schedule by AR in the field of physiotherapy.
In recent times, especially post-pandemic, things like teleconsultation and online physiotherapy are preferred options. With an ability to access care on demand, people are finding home-based physiotherapy more convenient than visiting a hospital. All these and many such technology platforms are more convenient and engaging for patients.
Below mentioned are some of the new techniques used in Physiotherapy:
- Motion Capture and Video Feedback
The Motion Capture and Video Feedback technology grants access to real-time visual imageries of movement along with biomechanical and motor control information, which helps the patient, as well as the therapists and doctors, understand the performance and development in an easy and understandable way. This guides in confirmatory movements and helps in coming up with modification solutions that are sure to bring out better results.
- Exoskeletons For High Energy Lower Extremity Trauma
Exoskeleton robots, which are a major class of rehabilitation robots, connect with the human body in a wearable way and can control the movement of all joints in the training process. The exoskeleton robots are basically AI robots that serve the supporting human directly. When and wherever extensive help of robotic intervention is needed in rehabilitation therapy, it is always preferred to use the exoskeleton robot.
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Soft Tissue Injury
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK US) is one of the primary and most effective tools of rehabilitation diagnostics in the field of sports medicine and injury recovery. This system helps in pointing out the structural changes that are happening in the tissues and joints. During the entire process of rehabilitation, MSK US should be used to keep a check on the effectiveness of the treatment provided to the patient and also provide visual sensory feedback which aids in the betterment of muscle contraction and relaxation.
- Instrumented Insoles
Instrumented Insoles help in the investigation and scanning of gait peripherals of a motion analysis laboratory and can aid in the capture of the motion data of every step of the subject. It is designed in such a manner that it is pretty comfortable for the user and at the same time easy to operate for the therapists and doctors. It is one of the most innovative and upcoming ways to measure force, movement, and pressure, all three at the same time.
- Force Plates
The force plates are used to measure balance, gait, and other stipulations of biomechanics. Force Plates are regularly used in the field of medicine as well as sports rehabilitation. All such techniques are revolutionising physiotherapy services in India. Though they are still in their nascent stage, and they are not available across India, they are going to determine the way physiotherapy services will be offered in future.
