Advertisement

AI-based app offers Hong Kong stroke patients guided physical rehabilitation at home, as NGO says many struggle to do exercises without help

  • Hong Kong Stroke Association, which helped to design app, says most stroke patients struggle to complete crucial exercises without help from physiotherapists, doctors
  • New app offers guided exercises, complete with narration and demonstration videos, while tracking patients progress and grading their performance

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
The AI-based app tracks how well stroke patients perform rehabilitation exercises. Photo: Elson Li

Stroke patients in Hong Kong can now get guided physical rehabilitation at home with the help of an app using artificial intelligence (AI) software, as an NGO on Monday said most of those who had to do the exercises struggled without assistance.

The Hong Kong Stroke Association, which helped to design the app, also published a study carried out last month that involved 120 stroke patients aged 18 to 30 which showed most struggled to work out without the support of physiotherapists or doctors.

“Most of the stroke patients said that their stamina, agility and body responses were not ideal,” NGO chairman Leung King-hong said.

“Most of them felt that the lack of perseverance and guidance were some of the reasons they found it difficult to exercise regularly. More than 90 per cent said having AI-assisted exercises at home could boost their willingness to work out.”

Doctors and physiotherapist can select from 300 activity types depending on what patients’ need. Photo: Elson Li
Doctors and physiotherapist can select from 300 activity types depending on what patients’ need. Photo: Elson Li

A stroke can reduce or block blood circulation to the brain and cut the supply of oxygen to such cells, causing them to lose function within minutes. Bodily functions governed by the damaged cells can be impaired.

Advertisement