A Southwest North Carolina rehabilitation facility is capitalizing on a modern method of enhancing its clients' strength, balance and concentration, according to BlueRidgeNow.com.
Only one other rehabilitation facility in North Carolina also uses the OmniVR system to assist those with physical therapy jobs and occupational therapy jobs while roughly 175 are in use throughout the U.S. Speech therapists also can make use of the system.
"All of the activities on the OmniVR can be translated into a functional task for physical therapy, occupation therapy or speech therapy, like dressing, gait training and standing balance, or memory sequencing and following directions," Rehab Director Leigh Anne Stork said. "But to the patient, it's just volleyball or carnival games or bingo – it's fun for them, and more interactive than traditional therapy by itself."
The system uses three-dimensional cameras and an avatar for six exercises that encourage limited mobility action.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, career prospects for occupational therapy are projected to develop more rapidly than average, particularly for occupational therapists who seek to assist the elderly.