AI adoption to accelerate MSK rehabilitation
Tags: webdev, softwaredevelopment, ai
Published: 2024-01-16 10:14:36

_This post is a quick overview of an Abto Software [blog article](https://www.abtosoftware.com/blog/msk-rehabilitation-recovery-acceleration-with-ai)._

The recent COVID-19 crisis, still escalating healthcare costs, personnel shortage in the healthcare landscape, and various other factors have unveiled promising opportunities to transform healthcare methods by using human-judgement independent health assessment.

In times of a healthcare emergency, when implementing modern technology, in particular telehealth software, has demonstrated noteworthy influence, conventional approaches have witnessed substantial transformation, physical therapy and rehabilitation among those.

## Why use artificial intelligence?

There are many methods applied towards musculoskeletal assessment.

If so, why introduce computational technology to digitize MSK rehabilitation?

When discussing trauma imaging, misinterpreting diagnoses might cause heightened morbidity and mortality. Without delving into more thorough analysis, incorrect diagnoses and delays can cause inefficient treatment, inadequate care, overlooked conditions, prolonged pain, unwarranted time and cost, and, accordingly, diminished trust.

Research suggests inconsistent assessments are among the main factors towards health-related discrepancies. Initial diagnoses are made by registrars rather than healthcare professionals having knowledge and experience to interpret and correlate findings clinically.

## Blending technology and rehabilitation

Musculoskeletal injuries rank among the most common causes for unscheduled emergency hospitalization. Such visits often incur substantial expenses associated with diagnostic imaging (radiography imaging, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, dedicated ultrasonographic evaluation) and subsequent treatment spending.

MSK imaging has seen considerable changes, in particular over the past decades, with the dynamic evolvement of advanced computational technologies – artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine and deep learning. The reasons behind this impressive adoption: the access to high-quality annotated data, artificial intelligence currently witnessing noticeable advancements, and the great leap computational power has made.

## Efficiently transforming MSK injury recovery techniques

### Personalized protocols

AI algorithms can analyze the patient’s health indicators, physiological responses, personal progress, and more. This way, physical therapists can personalize treatment programs, implementing adjustments when necessary.

### Predictive analytics

ML algorithms can process significant volumes of aggregated health information to predict potential outcomes. This way, physical therapists can minimize health-related complications and introduce preventive measures.

### Remote rehabilitation

By using AI-based solutions, the patient can perform prescribed exercises under constant virtual supervision. Value-added applications ensure patients are maintaining correct posture, provide feedback and navigation, and track recovery progress.

### Gamified rehabilitation

By using AI-based systems, the patient can delve into engaging, interactive environments fostering motivation. Advanced applications encourage patients, promoting adherence and self-management. 

### Real-time feedback and guidance

Artificial intelligence, in particular pose detection and analysis, is benefiting physical therapy and rehabilitation associated with musculoskeletal conditions by providing real-time feedback and guidance.

By integrating sophisticated algorithms (computer vision, machine and deep learning), AI-enabled applications can analyze movement patterns during sessions. 

### Wearables integration

Advanced technology – for example, pose estimation – is speeding up conventional assessment approaches, thus minimizing potential downtime.

By integrating data streams from personal wearable devices (smart watches and bands), AI-driven programs can monitor activity levels, physiological responses, and biomechanics to adjust the algorithm in real-time.

### Imaging analysis

Value-added solutions can benefit imaging analysis to complement often inaccurate healthcare methods, naturally empowering physical therapists. 

### Pain management

Innovation-based systems can process patient-reported information and other healthcare-related indicators, thus helping physiotherapy professionals optimize prescriptions, both medication and exercises.

## Comparing opponent MSK injury recovery strategies

Technology-assisted rehabilitation:

- Provides accurate, objective assessment
- Is free from variability and bias, offers consistent, objective assessment
- Enables completely remote monitoring
- Enables adaptive assessment adjustment through automation
- Offers convenient, holistic monitoring 
- Facilitates adherence and motivation through gamification and continuous progress tracking
- Immediately identifies and corrects improper movements
- Efficiently optimizes resource allocation by handling more patients

Conventional rehabilitation:

- Relies on subjective assessment
- Is subject to variability and bias
- Requires constant physical presence 
- Provides only manual adjustments
- Offers only limited observation dependent on scheduled sessions 
- Isn’t engaging
- Relies on professional vigilance during sessions
- Requires significant resource allocation and effort for guidance

## The limitations of traditional MSK treatment

Physical therapy and rehabilitation, when done conventionally manually, are inefficient and resource-intense. This means increasing time and cost, decreasing adherence, and, accordingly, unsatisfied customers.

Talking about musculoskeletal rehabilitation, there are many problems associated with traditional approaches. Standard programs leave patients without assistance during sessions, which means unpredictable outcomes, and, eventually, reputational and financial losses.

## The benefits of introducing MSK rehabilitation

Artificial intelligence might enable healthcare professionals to optimize physiotherapy assessment and analysis. Advanced algorithms can help quickly identify optimal regimens and personalize those according to individual patient progress.

Computational technology might facilitate unmatched precision, consistency, accessibility, and personalization. Trained algorithms eliminate existing geographical challenges, increase performance, decrease time and cost, and optimize patient outcomes.

## Final words

Abto Software designs products, which empower healthcare providers to approach business transformation. Our company, having required domain knowledge and experience, embraces innovation – artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge techniques – to automate everyday processes and facilitate overall performance. 

More and more people all around the globe are suffering MSK problems as our common lifestyles are changing. Given that, why not move towards business digitization to meet changing trends and requirements?

Related projects:

- AI based jump recognition and analysis to improve public health 
- CV based human body pose detection to optimize physiotherapy monitoring

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