Patient Information: Female, Age 83
Diagnosis: Acute Encephalopathy / Chronic Heart Failure / Morbid Obesity
History: This woman was referred to a skilled nursing facility due to declining health, functional mobility, and ability to care for herself. Thirteen months prior, she was hospitalized due to encephalopathy and complications from chronic heart disease, she was then referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. She had poor adherence and participation in therapy. At that time, her son and daughter-in-law took her home despite requiring assistance for all transfers, mobility, and most daily living activities. Once home, her activity level and health further declined and she was re-admitted to the hospital and subsequently back to the skilled nursing facility. Prior to initial hospitalization, she was able to propel herself in her wheelchair up to 100 feet and was able to assist with transfers and self-care.
Pre-Therapy Status:
•Bed Mobility: Dependent (100% assistance).
•Transfers: Dependent (100% assistance); a mechanical lift used for sit to stand.
•Ambulation: Unable to ambulate; dependent (100% assistance) for wheelchair mobility.
Therapy Information:
•Modality: OmniVR® Virtual Reality Augmented Therapy System.
•Frequency: 3-5x per week.
•Protocol Specifics: OmniVR® bingo and fox activities to improve trunk control, transfers, and lower extremity strengthening.
•Duration: Nine weeks.
•Other Therapy Services Provided: Bed mobility, therapeutic exercise, gait training, and transfer training.
Outcome:
•Bed Mobility: Independent.
•Transfers: Independent.
•Ambulation: 150 feet with a walker and intermittent verbal cues or guiding contact for steadying assistance.
The therapy team is ecstatic with this woman’s progress noting that she has far exceeded all of their expectations! Her Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) reports that the OmniVR® played a large role in getting her to come down to the therapy gym, motivating her to initially participate in therapy. Seeing that she had the ability to successfully complete and progress her activity motivated her to continue. Due to the significant progress made exceeding her prior level of mobility and walking, she was able to go home to live with her daughter!
