Physical therapy: Technology on PT duty

by Keith Loria, Reporter | July 29, 2010

Seniors stay strong
For the past decade or two, many manufacturers have worked on developing products designed with seniors in mind. Physicians continue to report an increase in work done with senior citizens as the booming population of the over-60 crowd is prone to the chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services.

"The senior sector remains very strong. More people at an advanced age are more concerned about their health and living healthier lives," says Lauretani. "I have seen a larger number of people in their 70s, 80s and even 90s take part in regular exercise programs and realize having pain does not have to be a normal part of their lives."

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Equipment designed for seniors include bikes and treadmills as two major focal points. Vendors such as HUR, Nautilus and Cateye are developing easier access to equipment so seniors and handicapped patients can utilize more of the exercise equipment in the clinics and at home.

"The one area that appears to have the biggest improvements recently has been in the home, commercial and light commercial exercise equipment," says Lauretani. "Companies are using lighter materials, more sleek designs and different mechanical configurations to make these strength and cardio units more advanced. Home units today, such as bikes, elliptical trainers and treadmills, that sell for under a thousand, 10 years ago, would have been considered light commercial grade and found in gyms and rehab facilities."

It seems as if new physical therapy equipment hits the market every day, but many experts warn that the changes are largely cosmetic and that customers should really focus on advancements in regards to what the machines can actually do.

"Over the past 10 years, there haven't been any breakthroughs on new equipment," Bright says. "Newer models have been released, but the functionality of what the device does, has not changed."

To keep up with it all, Obrebski says that BTE believes it's very important to have clinical expertise in-house and placements in research facilities.

"We always have our ear to the PT community's wants and needs," he says. "The need to understand our customers' requirements is a daily process for us. That's an integral part as we develop and expand our offerings in the physical therapy community."