The advantages and disadvantages of using high technology in hand rehabilitation

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

A brief review of the history of occupational therapy shows that the relationship between health and activity was of great concern to the founders of the Occupational Therapy (OT) field, and continues to be of concern to today's occupational therapists. Today, computers and Virtual Reality (VR) take the place of clay and the weaving loom. The goal of this article is to describe both known and innovative computerized equipment being used in interventions for hand rehabilitation and evaluations, as well as answer the question: 'what are the advantages and disadvantages of using technology in hand rehabilitation?' Our conclusion, based on clinical experience and supported by the literature, appears to emphasize that advanced technology can enrich treatment and help patients who are unable to visit the clinic regularly, to get appropriate treatment. However, advanced technology has not been found to be superior to traditional treatment and cannot replace the occupational therapist.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)179-183
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Hand Therapy
Volume26
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2013

Keywords

  • Hand evaluation
  • Hand rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation equipment
  • Technology

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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