Innovative Technologies for Rehabilitation and Health Promotion: What Is the Evidence?

Abstract

As new technologies enter the market or the research development track, physical therapists increasingly are in positions to either guide or lead the development team, working with engineers to adapt and modify existing technologies or develop new technologies to enhance rehabilitation, prevent decline, monitor change, or maintain healthy living. Remarkable breakthroughs have occurred in rehabilitation robotics,1–3 the brain-computer interface,4–6 virtual reality (VR)–based therapies,7–10 wearable sensors and monitors,11–13 and all forms of interactive media applications for rehabilitation and health behavior. There still are significant gaps in knowledge about how to best to use these technologies to reduce disability broadly, but we know that many of these technological developments provide the opportunity for new strategies and interventions to enhance quality of life for people with disabilities and chronic conditions that affect function and mobility: The physical therapy profession can be central to ensuring the development and optimal use of new technologies to reduce disability and enhance healthy living. In preparing for PTJ 's special series on innovative technologies for rehabilitation and health promotion, we were particularly interested in receiving contributions about current technologies that have the potential to accelerate progress in physical therapy and rehabilitation strategies, techniques, and interventions. We …