Visual feedback as a prognostic tool

Abstract This paper describes a project conducted at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, which investigated the use of a microcomputer to provide visual feedback during an occupational therapy session. The results achieved were very encouraging. Significant evidence (at the 2 1 2 % level) was found in support of Hypothesis I which suggested that change in reaction time due to treatment of the affected lower limb of a patient in the mid stroke category is different to that of a patient in the late stroke category. Hypothesis II was also supported (at the 2 1 2 % level) while Hypothesis III was refuted (at the 5% level), and suggested that: there would be a significant improvement in the contraction time (II) or relaxation time (III) of patients after treatment. In general terms, computer assisted visual feedback does appear to offer a number of advantages; in particular, the study carried out suggests a clear role for this approach as a prognostic tool in adult hemiplegia.