The Balance and Strength Exercise (BaSE) programme seeks to improve the patient physiotherapist interaction by allowing the latter to monitor and modify a prescribed exercise programme between visits. Participants in the trial attended the clinic for a medical assessment and met with a physiotherapist to determine their standard of balance and strength. Using this assessment, the physiotherapist tailored an exercise programme for the participant to follow over an eight-week period. Training on the exercises was provided to the participant before they left the clinic.
The Technology and Design Group developed and installed a console-based system in each of the participant’s homes. The system guides the user through each of their exercises, reminding them of the correct way to execute each movement. The system prompts the participant to carry out the prescribed number of exercise repetitions. Using a combination of camera and kinematic sensors the BaSE system provides real-time feedback to the participant on their performance. It also transmits the data collected to the physiotherapist.
Following a review of the participant’s compliance and performance, the physiotherapist can elect to modify the exercise programme. At the end of the eight-week trial the participants were invited back to the clinic where a post-assessment measured the change in their conditioning.