Use of the tracecoder® for a home rehabilitation user with decline of upper limb motor function

Abstract

[Purpose] To examine the usefulness of the TraceCoder® in the evaluation of the upper limb function of a home-visit rehabilitation (HR) user. [Subject] An 85-year-old female who had broken a joint in her left hand. [Methods] The subject’s upper limb motor function was evaluated using the TraceCoder® bulls-eye, trace, and tracking tests. In the trace and tracking tests, the evaluation items were: deviation, pen pressure, speed, and overall area. The assessments were conducted on the first home visit and 3 months later. [Results] After 3 months HR, pen pressure in the bulls-eye test, and speed, and overall area in the trace and tracking tests were found to have improved. [Conclusion] Using TraceCoder®, it was possible to make objective evaluations of upper limb motor function and ability in the home, suggesting that TraceCoder® will be a useful tool for examining outcomes and raising motivation in HR.