Smart Phones Make Smart Therapists

In the recent discussion on the use of new technology to deliver exercise programs, I am not sure if anyone mentioned the use of smart phones.  They are a brilliant tool for helping patients understand and review their exercises and improvements.  My most common experience relates to scapula retraining – very difficult for patients to visualise their own scapula and understand what we are trying to achieve with them. 

When assessing scapular posture, movement, or control under load if I find a significant deficit, asymmetry or dysfunction, I ask the patient for their phone set to ‘camera’ or ‘video’.  I then record images of their scapulae on their phone and show them to the client, pointing out the problems we are going to work on.  I ask them to save the images or video for future reference so we can compare after a rehab program.  Visualising the problems is a powerful way of helping the client understand and commit to the program.  Having it to review at home and show to partners, parents, coaches, bosses and so on can gain better support from other stakeholders.

Then it gets even better!  I video them doing their exercises correctly with voice over from me adjusting their posture or execution.  This must be the ultimate in specificity of video prescription with every client receiving their own exercise videos.  And it costs me nothing – I use their equipment.  You can then add the digital information to your electronic files or a patient link by asking them to email the files to you via the phone or after downloading them onto their home computer.  Anecdotally and judging by clinical improvements this strategy can improve program compliance. Especially for those patients who are technology friendly.

Of course the more professional option of www.ephysio.com.au remains available for more complex and ongoing rehab exercise video streaming as prepared by leaders in physical therapy in Australia.