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An innovative tele-rehabilitation project at Pok Oi Hospital is enabling elderly stroke survivors like 70-year-old like Lau to regain mobility through home-based therapy using virtual and augmented reality tools.
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Since suffering two strokes, Lau has struggled with walking but has shown steady improvement through the Jockey Club Smart Geriatric Day Hospital Project.
He completes daily exercises morning and afternoon, reporting reduced pain in his right hand and better performance in tasks like dressing.
A favorite hiking simulation now allows him to finish full routes without resting, boosting his confidence.
Funded with HK$14 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the program incorporates smart technologies to deliver physiotherapy and occupational therapy remotely in patients' homes or care facilities.
Tablets guide exercises, while performance data uploads to a platform for medical staff to monitor and tailor plans.
Launched last year, it has served around 350 patients, increasing treatment capacity by over 20 percent annually.
Elderly residents avoid exhausting hospital trips, staying active in familiar surroundings.
Care home managers note greater independence and achievement among participants.
The initiative targets those recovering from strokes, hip fractures, or dementia, reducing weekly hospital visits from twice to once after the initial phase.
Training incorporates cultural elements, such as mahjong games and iconic Hong Kong landmarks like the Big Buddha and Tsing Ma Bridge, to make sessions engaging.
A study with Lingnan University found participants walked faster in timed tests and improved hand motor skills, cognitive function, and daily living abilities compared to traditional therapy.
Doctors aim to enhance mobility, heart-lung fitness, and self-care independence.
