Occupational therapist Shannon Wolfe works with rehabilitation patient Mary Northern as Mary uses a new technology system called Jintronix at Masonic Homes. Jintronix uses games and a motion sensor camera to make therapy more fun and effective.
Whether they are undergoing short or long-term rehab, patients at Masonic Homes Kentucky’s Louisville and Shelbyville campuses enjoy innovative ideas and technology. One of these technologies is Jintronix, and using it is putting smiles on the faces of patients and therapists alike. Patients stand or sit in front of a TV on a mobile cart mounted with a motion-sensing camera and play electronic games during therapy sessions to stimulate recovery, whether for cognitive or physical skills. The games are designed to improve motor skills, problem solving and sequencing abilities, strength and flexibility. They can be played sitting down or standing up, for both high and low-functioning patients. “Patients are engaging in what doesn’t necessarily feel like exercise but it really is,” said Natalie Tinsley, senior vice president of therapy services at Masonic. “That’s the beauty of it.” One game in the Jintronix system features a ball rolling down a maze, in which side to side movements using core strength and trunk stability are necessary to keep the ball on the track. Another game in the software suite requires patients to kick a soccer ball as part of a soccer game. Natalie noted that one patient recently was able to kick higher than she ever had, thanks to the motivation and distraction the game provided, opposed to a standard therapy session. Another bonus of the software is that it effectively assesses and documents patient progress. “That was really a drawing factor for us, the ability to have objectives and measurable data,” Natalie said. “It can generate reports and track outcomes.”