We'll explain the secret to choosing the right equipment for your rehabilitation! | column | 日常で気軽に実践できる片麻痺のリハビリ方法や機能を低下させない生活習慣などを解説

Characteristics and purpose of rehabilitation equipment that supports physical recovery

Rehabilitation equipment is equipment developed for the purpose of improving physical functions, and plays a variety of roles according to the condition of the user, such as assisting movement, strengthening muscles, and expanding the range of motion. In particular, rehabilitation equipment that can be used repeatedly in daily life plays an important role in the recovery process after a stroke or fracture.

For example, electric exercise assist devices for upper limb paralysis promote functional recovery by safely moving joints while stimulating muscles. They are designed not to stiffen joints, which is effective in maintaining range of motion. Additionally, walking aids and posture maintenance devices help prevent falls and teach correct movements, reducing physical strain and supporting independence.

Below is a list of the main functions and purposes of rehabilitation equipment.

These tools are most effective when used step by step under the guidance of a specialized doctor or physical therapist. Choosing the most suitable tool for the user's symptoms, physical strength, and living environment is the key to speeding up recovery and supporting independence.

The benefits of home use tools

Many rehabilitation equipment are designed to be used safely and effectively not only in hospitals or facilities, but also at home. Continuing rehabilitation at home offers many benefits, including fewer hospital visits, maintaining physical strength, and peace of mind.

Home rehabilitation equipment takes into consideration a variety of conditions, including installation space, securing a power source, ease of operation, etc. In particular, in homes with elderly people or caregivers, it is important that the equipment can be easily introduced, and so electric devices that can be operated with the push of a button and space-saving devices are becoming increasingly common.

Below is a summary of some of the most common home rehabilitation equipment and its features.

Home rehabilitation has the advantage of being easy to integrate into daily life because there are few time constraints. For example, you can do hand and finger training for 10 minutes before a meal, or move your legs while watching TV, making it possible to continue practicing.

In addition, rehabilitation at home gives the patient a sense of psychological security, as they can work at their own pace. Working in a relaxed environment is said to enhance the nervous system's response and support physical recovery.

One thing to note is that even for home use, it is important to follow the correct usage guidelines, so it is important to seek guidance from a medical institution or specialist before using it. Forcing yourself to do it or using it in your own way can actually put strain on your joints and muscles.

Functions of devices that assist with hand and finger movements

Devices that help restore hand and finger function are an important factor that greatly influences the quality of life for people with post-stroke paralysis or motor disabilities due to neurological diseases. In particular, delicate and coordinated finger movements are essential for daily actions such as eating, putting on and taking off clothes, and using a smartphone. Therefore, by utilizing appropriate rehabilitation equipment, it is possible to increase the speed and accuracy of recovery.

These devices do not simply assist muscle strength; they also provide the following multifaceted effects:

• Retraining the nerves and muscles to improve brain-body coordination
  
• Increase the frequency of hand use and promote the maintenance and improvement of function
  
• The experience of success in movement leads to an increase in self-efficacy and also provides psychological support.
  
• It can be applied to daily activities, improving the efficiency of home rehabilitation.
  

One of the most common questions when introducing equipment is, "Is it difficult to use on a daily basis?" Recent models are equipped with simple touch buttons and smartphone apps, so there is no need to remember complicated operations. In addition, there are an increasing number of designs that are easy to use for the elderly and those who are not good with machines.

Another concern is, "How do I choose the right device for my symptoms?" The key to this is to clarify the target movement (e.g. using chopsticks, writing) through consultation with a medical institution or occupational therapist, and then select the appropriate device for that.

How to use equipment to improve leg and hip function

To improve daily activities using the lower limbs, such as walking, standing and sitting, not only muscle strength but also balance and flexibility are important. Therefore, rehabilitation equipment for the legs and hips is designed to effectively support all of these functions. The main effects of using these devices include the following:

• Recovery of walking ability by maintaining and improving leg and hip muscle strength
  
• Preventing joint contracture and increasing range of motion
  
• Improved posture control reduces risk of falls
  
• Improve circulation and prevent swelling by increasing the frequency of leg use
  

Elderly people in particular are prone to sudden muscle loss if they do not have an exercise habit, and safe rehabilitation using equipment can lead to a rapid recovery of independence.

Another common question is, "Can it be installed in an everyday space?" Many home appliances are space-saving, and some models can be used in spaces less than one tatami mat in size. They are also easy to move around with folding functions and casters.

Regarding the question of "How much time a day do I need to spend to see results?", it is recommended to continue a little at a time every day within your limits. It is important to gradually adjust the time and frequency under the guidance of a rehabilitation professional.

In response to concerns about whether they can continue for a long time, the following ideas have been suggested:

• Choose equipment with a feature that lets you visualize usage
  
• Doing it with your family increases your motivation to continue
  
• Use a diary or record sheet to help you see your progress
  

Identifying functionality and suitability for your purpose

The most important thing when introducing rehabilitation equipment is to choose equipment that has the "proper function for the purpose." This does not mean simply choosing a product that looks convenient, but rather determining whether it matches your physical condition, recovery goals, living environment, etc. If you introduce the equipment without considering its suitability, you may not get the desired effect and may not continue to use it.

For example, if a person aiming for finger rehabilitation chooses a device that targets the muscles of the entire upper arm, the improvement effect will be limited. If the goal is to "regaining the strength to hold a pen," it is necessary to choose rehabilitation equipment that is appropriate for the target muscle group and range of joint motion.

The next thing to consider is "function by body part" and "adjustability according to recovery stage." It is effective to check the list below.

Depending on the type of equipment, some products are recommended to be used in conjunction with rehabilitation programs at medical institutions. Failure to introduce such products can be reduced by conducting compatibility evaluations in collaboration with physical therapists and occupational therapists.

In addition, the more "personalized" the rehabilitation equipment is, the more likely it is to have a positive effect on recovery. Specifically, this includes models in which AI automatically adjusts the intensity and frequency of exercise based on past exercise history and user feedback. This makes it possible to respond to daily changes in physical condition.

Another thing to be careful of is "the mistake of choosing due to excessive functions." Too many functions can make the operation complicated, which can actually make it more difficult to use. It is important to determine whether the functions you can master are sufficient, and what functions you will need in the long term.

How to create conditions and an environment that makes it easy to continue using the product

After the introduction of rehabilitation equipment, in order to maintain its effectiveness, it is essential that it is "easy to continue using." No matter how high-performance the equipment is, if it cannot be easily incorporated into daily life, there is a risk that it will not be used.

The first thing to consider is compatibility with the installation environment. In a typical home environment, the space, power source location, and traffic flow around the home are limited, and hospitals and other facilities do not necessarily have the size and facilities they require. For this reason, it is advisable to check the following conditions in advance:

The next important thing is "durability commensurate with frequency of use" and "ease of maintenance." If you use it frequently, you may need to replace parts that deteriorate over time. In this case, you should check whether the manufacturer supplies parts individually and whether there is an after-sales service system.

In addition, "maintaining motivation" is essential for continued use. It is a good idea to choose equipment with recording and feedback functions so that you can get a sense of achievement of your goals. Specific examples include devices that are linked to an app and display a graph of rehabilitation progress, and devices that offer game-like rewards depending on the level of achievement.

Factors that will affect ease of use include the following:

・Weight design that is not too heavy (so that even women and elderly people can carry it)
・Operation is intuitive and easy to use (button layout and voice navigation)
- A design that blends in well with the room (colors and materials that harmonize well with the living space)
・Easy to clean on a daily basis (waterproof, stain-resistant, etc.)

Furthermore, if you have family members living with you, whether or not they understand and cooperate with you will play a major role in your continued use. This is because rehabilitation depends not only on the individual's efforts, but also on the support of those around them.

Choosing the right rehabilitation equipment for you is an extremely important factor in continuing your daily rehabilitation. Choosing equipment that matches your physical function and purpose enables effective training and leads to improved movement in your daily life. On the other hand, continuing to use equipment that does not suit you may pose risks such as a loss of motivation and strain on the body.

Especially for rehabilitation at home, it is important to consider the ease of handling the equipment, ease of storage, and compatibility with the support environment. Equipment that fits into daily life and is easy to operate will lead to long-term continuation. Also, creating an environment where it is easy to get cooperation from others is key to a smooth rehabilitation.

When choosing equipment with functions that meet your objectives, it is advisable to objectively look at your own physical condition and consider the opinions of experts. By choosing equipment with ingenious shapes and operability, it becomes easier to use and you will be able to naturally incorporate rehabilitation into your daily life.

Since physical condition and living environment change over time, the equipment you choose may not be optimal forever. That's why it's important to be flexible and continue to choose the environment and equipment that suits you. Being careful with your initial choices will lead to better results and a sense of security.

Q. If I use rehabilitation equipment at home, how much does it cost to initially install it?
A. The price range of rehabilitation equipment varies greatly depending on the type, but relatively simple hand exercise equipment and foot pedals are sold at an affordable price. Highly operable and multifunctional equipment will be more expensive, but they are a cost-effective option if you are aiming to improve your movements in a way that is relevant to your daily life. Choosing a product that is suitable for your physical condition, assuming you will use it for a long time, will also help reduce your financial burden.

Q.What are the important points to consider when selecting rehabilitation equipment?
A.When selecting equipment, it is important to first accurately understand the physical function of the person who will be using it, and then select equipment that matches that purpose. When fine finger movements are required, precise operability is required, while for the lower limbs, stability and load adjustment are important. In addition, the shape and storage capacity that can be easily incorporated into daily life are also major deciding factors. The key is to determine the balance between function and the environment in which it will be used before introducing it.

Q: How can I stay motivated during rehabilitation?
A. A sense of daily accomplishment and security is essential for continuous rehabilitation. Using equipment suited to the goal and making efforts to make the patient feel as if they are making progress, even if only little by little, will help to maintain motivation. It is also very effective to encourage family members and create a schedule together. To avoid feeling isolated while working at home, using a simple record notebook or progress sheet to visualize daily efforts will help maintain motivation.

Q. How can I help my family and caregivers become familiar with using the equipment?
A.Recently, rehabilitation equipment is designed for home use, and there are more and more products that are intuitive to use and lightweight. In the early stages, manufacturers often provide instruction videos and guidebooks, which the user and caregiver can review together to deepen their understanding. Also, by receiving advice from a professional at the initial stage, caregivers can learn how to use the equipment properly while reducing the burden on the caregiver. If the equipment is designed to be used in a suitable environment and a support system is in place, the whole family can use it without difficulty.

Company name: LAP Co., Ltd.
Location: 2-1-40 Oikawa, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 243-0212
Telephone number: 046-204-9343