Clinical Case Studies
Cardiff University
The Department of Physiotherapy offers the only courses in Wales that enable qualification as a Chartered Physiotherapist. For 75 years, Cardiff has been producing internationally-recognised physiotherapists, and with the introduction of stateof-the-art technology such as Siliconcoach software, Director of Physiotherapy Dr R van Deursen is ensuring the Department maintains that reputation for many years to come.
Student understanding is an important attribute the software brings to the Department. Dr van Deursen notes: "We find that students learn a lot about the movements they record and replay on the computer, and therefore it enhances their understanding of the relevant components of movement or posture."
For 7 years Siliconcoach software has been
used in all BSc, MSc and PhD research projects in the area of physiotherapy
and rehabilitation. Digital video provides the
students with a quick and simple way to measure movement in the clinical
setting and allows for basic 2D measurements - useful for measuring movement
and posture and developing outcome measures.
The concept is well received amongst clinicians, and while there is still a step needed to make the use of video analysis common practice, Dr van Deursen believes Siliconcoach software should become an important tool for measuring outcomes of treatment and therefore evidence-based practice. "In essence Siliconcoach is very simple to use and given the experience with many student projects, it is clear that this is an important method to enhance the understanding of movement disorders and recovery in the clinical setting."
“This is an important method to enhance the understanding of movement disorders and recovery in the clinical setting.”
Dr R van Deursen — Director of Physiotherapy, Cardiff University