Technology continues to advance at an exponential rate, but what does that mean for the profession? More important, what does it mean for patients in the here-and-now?
The 2019 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, set for January 23-26 in downtown Washington, DC, includes multiple sessions that go beyond the wow factor of technology and gets to practical applications in the clinic. Check out these suggestions, and find other relevant programming by searching the CSM programming page.
Why We Love AND Hate Our Robots: Implications for Everyday Clinical Practice
When it comes to the utilization and efficacy of robotic technology in rehabilitation of individuals with neurological diagnoses such as stroke and spinal cord injury, the research can be both encouraging and discouraging. What's behind the discrepancy in outcomes? Learn about the good and the not-so-good in robotic technology, implications for clinical practice, and when other evidence-based therapies are worth considering. Friday, January 25, 3:00 pm–5:00 pm.
Virtual Reality to Improve Mobility: Not Just Pretty Pictures
While the availability, fidelity, and cost of virtual reality (VR) and gaming systems have improved dramatically, scientific evidence supporting their use has lagged. Here's your opportunity to glean information from several decades of combined speaker experience using VR and gaming technologies to scientifically study deficits associated with neurologic injury and disease. The session will include an overview of the range of currently available technologies, from complex and costly virtual reality systems to low-cost, easy-to-use clinic-friendly systems, as well as ideas from basic science and clinical experience that can be used to guide scientific study and clinical care. You'll also get tips on identifying the most appropriate VR or gaming technologies for your clinical applications. Thursday, January 24, 11:00 am–1:00 pm.
Moving Technology to Clinical Practice: Sensors and Real-World Activity Assessment
The growth of sensor technology provides an opportunity for the physical therapist to capture patient functions over longer periods of time in their unstructured, natural environments. Find out why measuring activity outside the clinic is important, and how these remote measures reflect (or don't reflect) clinical measures. You'll also get updates on current research and examples of sensors clinicians can use now, accompanied by examples from pediatric and adult patient populations. Friday, January 25, 11:00 am–1:00 pm.