Health x Wellness
ABLE Singapore to provide a home-based virtual rehabilitation programme
Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations Ltd (ABLE Singapore) has launched a home-based rehabilitation programme using interactive game-based technology.
ABLE is a non-profit organisation that supports persons with disabilities and their caregivers. The new rehabilitation programme deploys an immersive virtual solution as an add-on therapy for ABLE clients. This helps them to continue their physical rehabilitation activities remotely as part of their recovery programme.
Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability with 63 percent of stroke patients having some disability during the first 3 months. In Singapore, 3.65 percent of the resident population has had a stroke in the past and there are 26 new stroke cases every day.
Recovery depends on many factors, one of which is timely physical and occupational therapy. A rehabilitation programme can help one regain strength, mobility, and accelerate the possibility for patients to return to work.
Home-based rehabilitation programme deploys the Jintronix Rehabilitation System
ABLE will be deploying the Jintronix Rehabilitation System (JRS). The JRS is a tele-rehabilitation platform capable of fun and intensive rehabilitation. The platform combines traditional movements and exercises used in rehabilitation with virtual games and motion sensing cameras, making physical therapy more engaging.
The JRS features a large library of 24 gamified activities, 56 exercises and 15 assessments that can help patients achieve higher compliance and better outcomes. The platform targets neurological and orthopedic conditions and can be used every day and at any time, increasing patient access and convenience.
From a customer usage perspective, the JRS uses a body-free 3D camera and does not record videos or require face-to-face consultations.
Virtual rehabilitation programme activities are developed together with therapists
Physical and occupational therapists collaborated with ABLE to develop the exercises used in the programme. to ensure that the recovery programme is safe and effective.
Therapists can customise a playlist of home-based training routines of up to 45 minutes per session, for each patient to exercise any time of the day, as many times as they desire within the month.
Every time the patients use the system at home, they can get instant feedback for their performance. At the same time, therapists can track each patient’s progress, ensure that all exercises are performed correctly, and adjust difficulty levels based on feedback provided by the system.
The therapist can also provide tele-consultations to make further adjustments to the home-based therapy programme when needed. This allows clients to continue with rehabilitation remotely, at their own time, especially if they are unable to travel to the centre.
ABLE assessment and subsidies for the virtual programme
To determine suitability for this programme, a therapist from ABLE will conduct an in-person assessment with the client. During this assessment, clients can try out prescribed activities on the system. Upon confirmation of suitability, the equipment will be set up and installed in the client’s home.
ABLE can provide subsidies of up to 80 percent of the SGD 600 monthly cost to provide the platform to clients. The subsidy includes license and rental of the system, and any remote adjustments to the home programme made by the therapist during the month. The amount subsidised is based on means-testing at the pre-assessment stage.
ABLE’s Return to Work Programme
The ABLE “Return to Work” (RTW) programme offers a suite of rehabilitation services that include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, employment support, training and social work assistance, addressing the therapeutic, psychosocial and employability needs of persons with disabilities acquired from conditions such as stroke and traumatic brain injuries.
The programme takes a holistic approach with the aim of helping persons with disabilities improve their independence in caring for themselves and finding gainful employment.
Image credit: ABLE Singapore Facebook Page
