PUA JING YI
Rodina Ahmad
Ms. Joyce Goh Ming Zi
Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in Malaysia, with approximately 52,000 new cases annually. The majority of stroke patients are aged 60 and above, with a slightly higher incidence in males. The main risk factors for stroke in Malaysia are hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking. Ischemic stroke is the most common type, accounting for 70% of cases. Unfortunately, access to rehabilitation services is limited, despite an average hospital stay of 14 days for stroke patients. About 40% of patients experience some form of disability, and 10% require long-term care.
Physiotherapy plays a critical role in stroke rehabilitation, focusing on improving strength, mobility, flexibility, and balance through exercises, manual therapy, and gait training. Regular physiotherapy sessions can enhance the range of motion, coordination, and balance, reducing the risk of falls and other injuries. It can also help prevent complications associated with immobility, such as blood clots and pressure sores, ultimately improving the patient's quality of life and independence. However, financial constraints and geographical distance often prevent some stroke patients from accessing in-person physiotherapy.
In order to address the challenges faced by stroke patients in accessing physiotherapy services, a proposed solution is the development of a mobile application that supports remote physiotherapy exercises for home rehabilitation. To gather the necessary system requirements, several meetings were conducted with collaborators, focusing on the perspective of physiotherapists. Their input was crucial in shaping the features and functionalities of the application.
Additionally, interviews were conducted with stroke patients and their caregivers to understand the requirements from the user's perspective. Their valuable suggestions and feedback were taken into consideration to enhance user satisfaction and ensure the application meets their specific needs.
Furthermore, meetings were held with the project supervisor, Associate Prof. Dr. Rodina Binti Ahmad, to further improve the business logic of the application. These discussions helped refine the overall approach and ensure alignment with the project objectives.
After careful consideration and analysis, it was decided to develop the Physiotherapist App for Stroke Patients (PhysioTrack) with 11 modules, including two core modules and additional features. These modules were designed to cater to the unique requirements of stroke patients and provide comprehensive support throughout the rehabilitation process.
The report encompasses detailed information about the Academic Project, Physiotherapy App for Stroke Patients (PhysioTrack). It includes an overview of the problem background, project scope and objectives, literature review, research and development methodology, system analysis, and a comprehensive system design. The report serves as a roadmap for the development and implementation of the PhysioTrack application, ensuring a thorough and well-planned approach to addressing the needs of stroke patients in Malaysia.