Industry Can Embrace Evidence Based Medicine and Assist Physical Therapists

Remember back in 1997 when the cool Dancing Baby debuted on Ally McBeal?    

The same technology that brought Dancing Baby entertainment has evolved to where it can be utilized to assist with educating ourselves or even our patients with correct performance of therapeutic exercises.  In 2005, the National Institute Of Child Health And Human Development funded a project titled "Internet Delivery of Animated Rehabilitation Exercises."  Apparently, physical therapists can have the same sort of fun as large drug trials have with the names of the projects.  This particular project is IDARE.  (Not to be confused with double dog daring someone.)  Bryan Heiderscheit, PT, PhD from University of Wisconsin-Madison is directing this study.  Seeing how our current President-Elect Obama ran his campaign successfully with technology, I wonder if Bryan would consider being interviewed (of course by me) to share preliminary findings?  Can animated rehabilitation exercises (ARE) replicate accurate performance of therapeutic exercises?  Can ARE enhance the physical therapy experience for patients with regard to consistent proper performance, adherence and outcomes when the physical therapist is in the lead in providing an ARE?  Could this technology reduce cost of care?  What about ARE on mobile devices?

Most companies tend to create their product and begin some level of sales.  Interestingly, ARE aren't for sale (to my knowledge).  The company involved with the creation of the product is one many of us are very familiar... Visual Health Information (VHI).   It appears VHI is appreciating the importance of evidence based medicine on two levels.  1)  I'm assuming there will be an ARE product (obviously it has been created) but instead of marketing the product, VHI is choosing to learn the results of IDARE.  2)  VHI just initiated a monthly newsletter for physical therapists.  The current newsletter is unique - it is something you'll save in a folder.  The newsletter combines evidence for specific exercises, a drawing of the exercises and the ability for you to click and watch an ARE of the specific activities.  A schedule of newsletter topics from now until September of 2010 is available. 

Selena