Customizing functional electrical therapy using a 'Rehabilitation Problem-Solving Form': A Preliminary Study
Abstract
International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model was applied as a design tool for customizing FES therapy for 10 chronic (>6 months poststroke) stroke survivors. The ICF model was implemented with an assessment document called 'Rehabilitation Problem-Solving Form' (RPS-Form). The online RPS-Form was used to monitor patient's response to a short-duration moderately intensity FES therapy by assessing all the ICF components. The RPS-Form presented the patients' perspective, and therefore facilitated communications between the patient and his/her multi-disciplinary rehabilitation team consisting of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical doctors, and rehabilitation engineers. A 2-weeks Rehab-CYCLE of short duration, moderately-intensive FES therapy improved activities and participation of 4 out of 10 participants, while 5 out of 10 participants consented to repeating the same Rehab-CYCLE in the clinic.