Below are the main research projects that our department has worked on in recent years:
1. Orthopedic Rehabilitation - Orthopedic rehabilitation research was done in collaboration with the Department of Orthopedics at Hadassah. It examines the influence of orthopedic knee replacement surgery for BKA and minisectomy, on static and dynamic balance using the "Balance Master", a computerized new device for the evaluation of equilibrium. This research post surgery for a torn meniscus analyzed the correlation between the balance and quality of mobility in adult patients with osteoarthritis. Another area of research is the use of innovative technology in orthopedic devices in patients with poliomyelitis.
2. VR Modality - The use of a virtual reality modality to treat patients with neurologolical deficits such as patients after CVA or patients with chronic pain. A innovative virtual system was developed by a team from our department and a clinical trial will be started soon (link here).
3. Locomotor Therapy - We investigated the use of the "LOKOMAT", a robotic device for locomotor therapy, in the treatment of patients with spinal cord injuries, head injuries, multiple sclerosis, patients 3-12 months after CVA, and patients with peripheral neurological diseases. We found that this treatment is well tolerated and can improve the functional outcome of these patients.
4. Aerobic Therapy - It is known that there are changes in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system in patients who've suffered a stroke. As part of the research done in the rehabilitation department, we examined the effect of aerobic physical exercise on the autonomic nervous system in patients who had undergone a stroke. Follow-up research examined genetic indicators that determine whether it is possible to predict which patients will benefit from physical activity and which will not.
5. CIMT - The effect of treatment using constraint induced motor treatment/movement therapy (CIMT) in patients with lacunar CVA using clinical parameters and fMRI evaluation. This treatment was developed by Dr. Edward Taub of the University of Alabama in the eighties and is intended for patients who are three months to a year after a stroke. During treatment, the healthy hand is bound for 90% of the time of concentrated training of the weak hand for six hours a day for two weeks. The treatment was proven in a controlled study (EXCITE research) as a factor for improved functioning of the weak hand compared to accepted therapy.
6. Terror Victims - The outcome of terror victims who were treated in rehabilitation. We examined the outcome of all terror victims who were treated in the rehabilitation department in the last 4 years. We concentrated mainly on terror victims who suffered from traumatic brain injury and compared their outcome to the outcome of regular TBI patients. We found that terror victims with TBI were hospitalized for longer periods of time and suffered from more severe injury and complications in comparison to non-terror victims with TBI. This work was presented in both Israeli and international conferences on rehabilitation and published 4.2007 in the leading journal in PM&R (Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2007;88:440-448).