Breakfast Club 2018 - Lecture 2, May 16

Emerging technologies and rehabilitation of the upper
limb: are we ready?

About the lecture:
Rehabilitation of the neurologically impaired upper limb is challenging for both consumers and health
professionals.
Published studies suggest that more than 50% of stroke survivors will leave rehabilitation with a nonfunctional
upper limb. We know that cortical changes are experience-dependant and rely on intensity,
repetition and engagement.
Emerging technologies, such as gaming and robotic assisted devices, provide an engaging platform
for rehabilitation that enable the high numbers of repetition critical for neuroplasticity and functional
improvement. However, clinicians are often reluctant to incorporate such technology in practice.
This presentation will discuss research collected as part of the implementation of a publicly funded,
technology driven, upper-limb rehabilitation clinic – the Hand Hub. The barriers and facilitators for the uptake
of new technology in healthcare settings will be examined in the context of evidence-based practice. This
presentation will also encourage debate with the audience about the place of technology in rehabilitation
settings.

About the Presenter:
Marlena Klaic is the research leader for occupational therapy at Melbourne Health and a senior clinician for
acute neurosciences.
She has more than 15 years experience working in neurosciences across all stages of the continuum. Marlena
was a core member of the multidisciplinary team that established the Hand Hub and recently authored a
paper on the clinical outcomes from the Hand Hub.
Marlena is interested in outcome measures and recently submitted her PhD, Enhancing evidence based
practice with allied health clinicians. She is currently leading two multi-site studies related to technology
and robotics.