Incentive-based Exercise Device To Improve Clinical Outcomes For Chronically Ill Patients
ID U-5018
Category Medical Devices
Subcategory Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation
Researchers
Brief Summary
Exercise device that enhances a patient's desire to fight a disease.
Problem Statement
Chronic diseases often lead to depression, withdrawal, and a weakening of the “fighting spirit” in a patient. Poor emotional and mental condition of a patient and generalized weakness from the disease, or therapy to treat the disease, typically lead to diminished physical strength, which directly affects a patient's immune response and endocrine system.
Technology Description
University of Utah researchers have developed an incentive-based device that enhances a patient's desire to fight diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, stroke, and depression. Incentive-based exercise devices are not intended to replace pharmacological or physical therapies, but rather to increase patient motivation to fight the disease, resulting in improved clinical outcomes and reducing health care costs by accelerating patient recovery.
Stage of Development
Proof of Concept
Benefit
- Increases patient immune and endocrine response.
- Improves patient mental state.
- Improves patient recovery time, resulting in reduced health care costs.
Publications
Patient-Empowerment Interactive Technologies. September 2012. Science translational medicine. 4(152):152ps16
IP
Publication Number: US-2013-0131846-A1
Patent Title: Empowering Patients During Disease Therapy Using An Interactive Video Game That Links Exercise and Positive Visualization
Jurisdiction/Country: United States
Application Type: Non-Provisional
Contact Info
Huy Tran
(801) 581-7792
huy.tran@utah.edu
