Microdesign Consulting Inc. and UVM Get Grant for Innovative Home Telecare

Microdesign Consulting Inc. of Colchester, VT in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science of the University of Vermont has won a Phase II Small Business Innovation and Research grant from the National Institutes of Health for further development of their TV set-top box which enables home-bound patients to participate in group exercise classes and follow-up health care consultation.
"Our system offers the benefits of a group exercise class", says Larry Keyes of Microdesign, "even though participants are physically standing in their own living rooms and don't need to leave their own homes. Participants don't need a computer and exercise in front of their own TV sets. The instructor can see and hear all participants, and each participant can see and converse with the instructor, as well as with each other."
"We are looking for solutions for health care delivery that allow patients to fully participate in follow-up care, physical therapy programs, and health education while remaining at home."
The funding, for $750,000 over two years, allows the firm to continue development of their existing hardware and software and conduct a larger scale clinical test to compare home based tele-classes with similar classes conducted in a gymnasium or health provider facility.
Trials of the hardware unit are focused on a 15 week exercise program for senior patients who have fallen, or have a fear of falling.
Data from earlier trials of the system were published in the peer-reviewed journal, Telemedicine and eHealth. Microdesign's president, Lawrence Keyes and Dr. Ge Wu, Associate Professor of the University of Vermont Department of Movement and Rehabilitation Science presented their results at the International Symposium of Biomechanics in Munich, Germany in August 2006.
About Microdesign Consulting Inc.:

Microdesign Consulting Inc. provides IT solutions for strategic information systems planning, network design and maintenance, and database and workflow applications for government health care, education, non-profit and small business clients.