It's a technology that was developed and manufactured in Alberta, and now it's being sold all over the world, transforming the way patients can undergo physical therapy. Known as ReJoyce, the system is helping rehabilitate people who have lost upper body mobility due to strokes, spinal cord injuries, or other nerve or muscular damage - from the comfort of their homes.
The system, created by the University of Alberta's Arthur Prochazka and Jan Kowalczeski with funds from the Rick Hansen Institute, allows patients with reduced mobility in their arms or hands to practice everyday activities in an innovative way.
"It's things you normally do in rehab, but it's connected to a computer where you get to play games. So that's the really cool part," said Kowalczeski.
A joystick connected to a computer allows patients to play video games that range from boxing to bartending, with each game specifically designed to improve a patient's motor functions.
Referred to as "tele-rehabilitation," the therapy is administered through a web-based platform similar to Skype, and supervised by a physical therapist, who controls the session via a remote computer or smart phone.
"And at the end of sessions, we often hear from people, 'Boy I didn't realize how tired my arm was getting. I really had a good workout," said Prochazka.
For former firefighter, Ray Royer, who lost most of the mobility in his legs and hands four years ago after falling off his bike, this form of rehabilitation is working better than others he's tried.
"It's more motivational," said Royer. "It gets your mind off of trying to close my hand and my mind more on the game."
Considering about 60 percent of people with spinal cord injury are unemployed, partly because of a loss of hand function, thE benefits of this rehabilitation technology can be widespread.
"You know they just can't lift books and shuffle papers and so forth. So anything that helps hand function is going to increase employment, reduce medical costs," said Prochazka.
But for patients like Royer, the best part is that it's one step closer towards independence.
"I'd love to walk again, but any little improvement is always great, cause 'Oh I couldn't do that yesterday, today I can do it. That's awesome."
With files from Su-Ling Goh.
© Shaw Media Inc., 2012. All rights reserved.