SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND MONITORING CUSTOM EXERCISE PROGRAMS

Abstract

The system contains a programmable device. A first code stored on the programmable device tracks time on the programmable medium. A second code stored on the programmable device provides reminders to a user to perform rehabilitative exercises at intervals measured by the first code. A third code stored on the programmable device tracks exercises performed. Methods of monitoring rehabilitation include creating a rehabilitation plan for a patient based on input received from a practitioner device; providing the rehabilitation plan to a patient device; receiving information relating to the performance of an exercise in the rehabilitation plan from the patient device; and providing the information relating to the performance of an exercise to the practitioner device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/746,139, filed Jun. 30, 2010, which is a national stage filing of International Patent Application No. PCT/US08/86465, filed Dec. 11, 2008, which in turn claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/013,910, filed Dec. 14, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for providing custom programs. The invention has particular utility in the production of personalized exercise and physical rehabilitation programs, which may be provided to a patient through a website or web-based application or on machine-readable media such as DVDs, and will be described in connection with such utility although other utilities including, but not limited to broadcasting or delivery of the program through the internet, are contemplated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise and rehabilitation programs are recommended by chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and exercise instructors. Typically such programs include exercises which are demonstrated briefly during a session with a patient or client and may be accompanied by written and/or diagrammatic exercise sheets. While a patient or a client may meet periodically with his chiropractor, osteopath, physiotherapist and exercise instructor, the patient or client is left to his or her own memory. Since it is important that exercises be properly done, both from the standpoint of therapy results, and also to avoid further injury to the body, a need exists for providing a patient or client with a personalized instructional program tailored to the individual's needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, the present invention includes a programmable device for creating and storing personalized or customized instructional exercise programs. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a first code stored on the programmable device tracks time on the programmable device; a second code stored on the programmable device provides reminders to a user to perform rehabilitative exercises at intervals measured by the first code, and a third code stored on the programmable device tracks exercises performed.

The present invention can also be viewed as providing methods for creating personalized or customized rehabilitation exercises. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the method includes creating a personalized exercise program; providing reminders to a user to perform rehabilitative exercises at intervals according to tracked time; and tracking exercises performed.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a patient rehabilitation system that includes a rehabilitation application, hosted at least partially on a server and electronically accessible over at least one network system. The application is configured to receive input from a practitioner device and to create a rehabilitation plan based on said input; provide the rehabilitation plan to a patient device; and receive information relating to the performance of an exercise in the rehabilitation plan from the patient device and provide the information relating to the performance of an exercise to the practitioner device.

In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method of monitoring rehabilitation that includes: creating a rehabilitation plan for a patient based on input received from a practitioner device; providing the rehabilitation plan to a patient device; receiving information relating to the performance of an exercise in the rehabilitation plan from the patient device; and providing the information relating to the performance of an exercise to the practitioner device.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions for providing a rehabilitation monitoring process enabled at least in part on a processor of a computerized device, the instructions, which when executed by the processor, performing the steps of: creating a rehabilitation plan for a patient based on input received from a practitioner device; providing the rehabilitation plan to a patient device; receiving information relating to the performance of an exercise in the rehabilitation plan from the patient device; and providing the information relating to the performance of an exercise to the practitioner device.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals depict like parts, and wherein:

FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B are block diagrams illustrating a system for creating a personalized or customized exercise program in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for rehabilitation, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system for rehabilitation, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for overseeing performance of rehabilitative exercises, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a is a block diagram illustrating a rehabilitation system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of monitoring rehabilitation, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Many embodiments of the disclosure may take the form of computer-executable instructions, including algorithms executed by a programmable computer. However, the disclosure can be practiced with other computer system configurations as well. Certain aspects of the disclosure can be embodied in a special-purpose computer or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable algorithms described below.

The disclosure also can be practiced in distributed computing environments, where tasks or modules are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. Moreover, the disclosure can be practiced in Internet-based or cloud computing environments, where shared resources, software and information may be provided to computers and other devices on demand. In a distributed computing environment, program modules or subroutines may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. Aspects of the disclosure described below may be stored or distributed on computer-readable media, including magnetic and optically readable and removable computer disks, fixed magnetic disks, floppy disk drive, optical disk drive, magneto-optical disk drive, magnetic tape, hard-disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), compact flash or non-volatile memory, as well as distributed electronically over networks including the cloud. Data structures and transmissions of data particular to aspects of the disclosure are also encompassed within the scope of the disclosure.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B, in order to create a personalized or customized rehabilitation exercise program for a patient, a practitioner will examine a patient and formulate diagnosis for the patient's condition. The practitioner then logs onto the company's website via the Internet, and locates conditions from a pull down menu. The web application will have a preset recommended rehabilitation exercise program. If the practitioner agrees with the suggested exercise program or protocol, the practitioner enters the patient's details and creates a customized program for the patient. The customized program can be loaded onto a DVD and shipped to the patient together with written instructions, or the program may be made accessible to the patient via the Web.

If, on the other hand, the practitioner agrees with the suggested exercises, but wishes to customize parameters, the practitioner may then customize parameters either from a further pull down menu, or the practitioner may write on the program. Alternatively, if the practitioner wishes to customize both protocol and exercise parameters, the practitioner may select exercises from a library of exercises, and if desired, write customized parameters for each exercise. Once the standard protocol with customized parameters or custom protocol with customized parameters has been determined, the practitioner will then enter the patient's details, which then may be printed on a DVD or accessible directly to the patient via the Web.

Alternative methods for determining a customized package are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown by FIG. 1A, the Web server recognize the identity of the practitioner, such as for example by the use of a login name and password, where the practitioner logs onto the website to order a rehabilitative exercise. The online application supplies recommended rehabilitative exercise protocols for the relevant patient conditions. The practitioner may then choose to accept the recommended protocols without disagreement, upon which a DVD is rendered according to the existing library. This is called a “short process”, because the DVD image is ready to burn. Alternatively, the practitioner may choose to change any given parameter, such as patient condition, exercise selection, exercise sequence, speed of exercise performance, number of sets, number of repetitions per set, frequency and duration of resting periods, or other parameter. The practitioner's choices are remembered and stored in the practitioner's profile. The DVD is then rendered according to a “long process”, wherein the new image is processed before burning to the DVD. This new image is then retained for future use by this or another practitioner.

FIG. 1B illustrates another alternative embodiment. In this instance, the practitioner chooses whether or not to use the default or recommended protocol. If the practitioner chooses not to use the default protocol, the practitioner may choose to use a previously generated protocol. The previously generated protocol may have been prompted by this or another practitioner. Otherwise, the practitioner may generate a further customized sequence which is then saved for recall. Other possible customizations include practitioner and patient branding and the inclusion of standard disclaimers (the practitioner may also add custom disclaimers). Each of the practitioner's choices may be stored in a database for convenience in future transactions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 for rehabilitation, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 includes a programmable device 12. A first code 14 stored on the programmable device 12 tracks time. A second code 16 stored on the programmable device 12 provides reminders to a user to perform rehabilitative exercises at time intervals as measured by the first code 14. A third code 18 stored on the programmable device 12 tracks exercises performed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system 110 for rehabilitation, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system 110 includes a programmable device 112. A first code 114 stored on the programmable device 112 tracks time. A second code 116 stored on the programmable device 112 provides reminders to a user to perform rehabilitative exercises at time intervals as measured by the first code 114. A third code 118 stored on the programmable device 112 tracks exercises performed.

The system 110 may also include a fourth code 120 on the programmable device 112 for tracking interaction between a user and the programmable device 112, wherein the second code 116 provides reminders at intervals of activity as measured cooperatively between the first code 114 and the fourth code 120. A purpose of the fourth code 120, for instance, would be to track if someone has been seated at a computer for an extended period of time and requires a given exercise to alleviate risk of developing repetitive strain injuries that may be associated with significant usage of the programmable device 112.

The fourth code 120 may also be useful for tracking performance of the rehabilitative exercises. Specifically, if a user is reminded to perform a rehabilitative exercise and indicates acceptance of the reminder, but continues to be active on the programmable device 112 when the rehabilitative exercise would make such activity impossible, the system 110 may register that the user has not performed the rehabilitative exercise. Similarly, if a rehabilitative exercise is to be performed for five minutes, but activity on the programmable device 112 ceases after only three minutes, the system 110 may register the noncompliance with the exercise reminder. Noncompliance may be tracked and reviewed by the user, a human resources representative and/or a physician, either locally to the programmable device 112 or from a remote location.

The system 110 may also include a fifth code 122 for demonstrating the rehabilitative exercises on a display screen 124, wherein the display screen 124 is in communication with the programmable device 112. The display screen 124 may be in wired or wireless communication with the programmable device 112. The demonstration may involve one or more figures explaining the rehabilitative exercise, one or more videos or animations showing the rehabilitative exercise, and/or audio explaining or encouraging the rehabilitative exercise. The audio may be provided through an audio device 126 in communication with the programmable device.

The system 110 may also include a sixth code 128 operative through a user input 130 for modifying the rehabilitative exercises to be performed and/or a size or frequency of the time intervals. A variety of rehabilitative exercises may be made available with the present invention, and some exercises may be useful for some, but not others. Thus, a user may be able to modify which exercises they are reminded to perform. Similarly, a human resources representative for a company, a physician, or the like may be able to make modifications to the exercises either on the programmable device 112 or through remote communication with the programmable device. The user input 130 may be a combination of a local input device and a receiver for receiving remote communications.

Further, it may be that the rehabilitative exercises are selected and applied to a DVD or similar media and run therefrom onto the programmable device 112. For instance, a physician, chiropractor, or other caregiver may download a collection of one or more rehabilitative exercises from a library of video clips of actual persons demonstrating specific exercises, or computer animations on an application site and provide them to a patient, either for operating on the programmable device 112 from a DVD or similar medium, or for saving to a hard drive of the programmable device 112. The exercise reminders may be provided through a cell phone, laptop, personal computer, personal digital assistant, or any other programmable device 112.

The application site may further provide manipulable exercises or physical activities that a physician, chiropractor, or other caregiver can download for a patient. Specifically, the application site may allow the physician, chiropractor, or other caregiver to define the exercises, the duration of the exercise, the pace of the exercise, the number of repetitions in the exercise, rest time during exercising, and the number of sets and rest time therebetween. The more customizable the exercise, the better served a user of the programmable device 112 may be when receiving the exercise material from the physician, chiropractor, or caregiver.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 200 illustrating a method of overseeing performance of rehabilitative exercises in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules, segments, portions of code, or steps that include one or more instructions for implementing specific logical functions in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the present invention in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present invention.

As is shown by block 202, time is tracked on a programmable medium. Reminders are provided to a user to perform rehabilitative exercises at intervals according to tracked time (block 204). Performance of the exercises is tracked (block 206).

The method may include tracking interaction between a user and the computer readable medium. In this regard, a computer, or similar programmable device, can identify that a user has been present and presumably sitting during an interval of time. Reminders can therefore be provided at extended intervals of sitting. Further, it may be useful to know the user is present for the reminder.

The method may include demonstrating the rehabilitative exercises on a display screen, wherein the display screen is in communication with the programmable medium. The demonstration may include one or more figures explaining the exercise(s). The demonstration may include video or animation showing the exercise(s) in action. The demonstration may include music or some other type of audio to encourage performance of the exercise(s).

The method may include modifying rehabilitative exercises to be performed and/or a size of the intervals. The exercise(s) could be selected in advance from a library of possible exercises. The selection process may relate to which pre-existing ailments a user has or for which ailments the user is most at risk. The selection process may also be handled by the user and/or a remotely located physician or other caregiver. Similarly, the time intervals for the various exercises may be modified and may be configured based on a straight passage of time or cumulative time for which a user is actively operating the programmable device.

The method may include tracking interaction between the user and the computer while the rehabilitative exercises are supposed to be performed, thereby policing performance of the exercises. If a user is actively engaging a computer or other programmable device when the rehabilitative exercises are supposed to be performed, then the software may track that the exercise was not performed. An employer may keep this data. This data may also be utilized to reconfigure the next time interval before a rehabilitative exercise reminder.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a rehabilitation system 510, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 510 includes a rehabilitation application 525, electronically accessible over at least one network system 511 and hosted at least partially on a server 520. At least one patient device 512 is positioned to access the application 525 and at least one practitioner device 612 is positioned to access the application 525.

The server 520 may be or include any database capable of storing and/or providing access to information, such as an electronic database, a computer and/or computerized server, database server or generally any network host capable of storing data and connected to any type of data network. Further, the server 520 may include or be a part of a distributed network or cloud computing environment. Any type of electronic and/or computerized device that is capable of storing information may be included as the server 520, and is considered within the scope of this disclosure. The server 520 may include computer-readable storage media, and a processor for processing data and executing algorithms, including any of the processes and algorithms set forth in this disclosure. The rehabilitation application 525 is electronically accessible over at least one network system 511. The network system 511 may include any type of network infrastructure, such as the Internet, or any other wired, wireless and/or partially wired network. The server 520, application 525 and network system 511 may include a variety of hardware and software components to provide successful functioning of the server 520 and the application 525, as is well-known within the art. Further, any features, characteristics, designs and/or functions that are known within the art may be included with the system 510 to further enhance its efficiency.

The at least one patient device 512 may be any device that is capable of communicating with the application 525, for example via a network system 511, and may be operated by any rehabilitation patient. The at least one patient device 512 may be, or include any of the features of, the devices disclosed herein, including for example, programmable devices 12 and/or 112 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For example, the at least one patient device 512 may include one or more of the first through sixth codes discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The at least one practitioner device 612 may be any device that is capable of communicating with the application 525, for example via a network system 511, and may be operated by any entity that modifies, prescribes or suggests rehabilitation exercises, and may be a physician or other medical personnel, insurance personnel, physical therapist, or any representative thereof. Any number of patient devices 512 and practitioner devices 612 may use the system 510 at any given time. The patient device 512 and practitioner device 612 may access the application 525 through a variety of ways, including through a computerized device in communication with the system 510 over a network system. For example, the patient device 512 and/or practitioner device 612 may be any computer, including any personal computer, Internet appliance, hand-held device (including palm-top computers, wearable computers, cellular or mobile phones, multi-processor systems, processor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network computers, minicomputers) and the like. One or more input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen interface, microphone or the like, may be used to transmit information to and/or request information from the application 525 by either of the patient device 512 and/or the practitioner device 612.

The system further includes a sensor 515 for sensing performance of a rehabilitation exercise. The sensor 515 may be, for example, a motion sensing device such as the Kinect by MICROSOFT. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 515 may be an accelerometer, 3D scanner, camera, laser, acoustic sensor, magnetic sensor, vibration sensor or any other type of sensor capable of sensing or detecting motion, as well as any associated hardware and/or software for sensing, detecting and/or determining the performance of a rehabilitation exercise based on the sensed information. The sensor 515 may transmit information to the patient device 512 through any known techniques, including, but not limited to, any wired or wireless communication. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 515 may be integrated into the patient device 512. For example, the patient device 512 may be a mobile computerized device such as a cellular phone, and the sensor 515 may be an accelerometer that is incorporated into the cellular phone and capable of sensing motion. Additionally or alternatively, information from the motion sensor 515 may be communicated from the sensor 515 directly to the rehabilitation application 525.

The rehabilitation application 525 may be fully or partially hosted on the server 520. The rehabilitation application 525 may include any tool, device, system, process or combination thereof, which assists or makes possible an exchange of rehabilitation information between a patient device 512 and a practitioner device 612. For example, the rehabilitation application 525 may allow a practitioner, using a practitioner device 612, to create or modify a rehabilitation program (e.g., a set of exercises, etc. as described in this disclosure) which may be provided as input to the application 525 and then transmitted to a patient device 512. Similarly, a patient device 512 may receive information from the sensor 515 indicating that the patient is performing rehabilitation exercises and thus complying with the prescribed rehabilitation program, and may transmit this information to the application 525, which may be accessed by the practitioner device 612 to monitor the patient's performance.

The application 525 may include any computer-readable memory or databases, which may be stored in any computer-readable medium, and may be accessible by a computer processor. The application 525 may further include or access computer program instructions which may cause a processor to perform any algorithms and/or functions which may be described in this disclosure. The application 525 may include or provide access to a web or network-based software platform, including a graphical user interface or webpage which provides interactive access to the system 510 to users of a patient device 512 and/or a practitioner device 612. Further, the application 525 may include any of the features for creating, modifying or customizing a rehabilitation exercise program as discussed herein, including locating conditions from a pull down menu, entering patient details and creating a customized program. Alternatively or additionally, a patient device 512 and/or practitioner device 612 may include software providing access to the system 510.

The system 510 may further include a rehabilitation exercise database 524. The application 525 has access to the rehabilitation exercise database 524, which may be fully or partially hosted on the server 520, or may be hosted elsewhere and otherwise accessible to the application 525. The rehabilitation exercise database 524 stores information about rehabilitation exercises which may be prescribed as part of a rehabilitation plan for a patient through the rehabilitation system 510. The rehabilitation exercise information may include, for example, information relating to types of rehabilitation exercises which may be prescribed, video or image information depicting how to perform rehabilitation exercises, information relating to duration and/or frequency of performing rehabilitation exercises, and any other information relevant to rehabilitation exercises which may be prescribed and/or communicated through the system 510. The rehabilitation exercise database 524 may further include information relating to patient conditions, and the patient conditions may be associated with suggested rehabilitation exercises.

A practitioner using a practitioner device 612 may customize and prescribe a rehabilitation plan using the application 525 and accessing exercises stored in the rehabilitation exercise database 524. The practitioner may enter patient information or select any other parameters, as discussed herein, and the application 525 may recommend a rehabilitative exercise protocol, which the practitioner may modify. Moreover, the practitioner may modify pre-existing exercises and/or create new exercises, and add the modified or newly created exercises to the rehabilitation exercise database 524.

The system 510 may further include an exercise performance database 526. The application 525 has access to the exercise performance database 526, which may be fully or partially hosted on the server 520, or may be hosted elsewhere and otherwise accessible to the application 25. The exercise performance database 526 stores information relating to a patient's performance of rehabilitation exercises. The exercise performance information may include, for example, information relating to the time, frequency, duration and/or successful completion of prescribed exercises. The exercise performance information may be input into the exercise performance database 526 through the use of a patient device 512 in communication with the application 525. Further, the exercise performance information may be provided to the application 525 and the exercise performance database 526 automatically or without any input by a user of the patient device 512. For example, the exercise performance information may include information sensed by the sensor 515, which may be provided to the patient device over any wired or wireless network, and automatically communicated from the patient device 512 to the application 525 and exercise performance database 526.

Real-time compliance reports may be generated by the application 525 based on information received from the patient device 512 and/or the sensor 515 which indicates that the patient is performing, or has successfully completed, a prescribed exercise. The compliance reports may be stored in the exercise performance database. Exercise performance information provided to the application 525 and/or the exercise performance database 526 may be made accessible to, and may be pushed directly to, a practitioner device 612 having appropriate access to the system 510.

As specified herein, the system 510 may include a number of other features to enhance the design, use or functionality of the system 510 to provide better access and ability to prescribe, modify and create rehabilitation exercises, and to monitor and provide information relating to the performance of rehabilitation exercises. These additional features may include functional or aesthetic components within the application 525, such as website components, software based automation or the ability to tailor the system 510 to the preferences of a particular practitioner and/or patient.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 illustrating a method of monitoring rehabilitation, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules, segments, portions of code, or steps that include one or more instructions for implementing specific logical functions in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the present invention in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present invention.

In operation, a patient utilizes a patient device 512 to access the rehabilitation application 525 through a network 511. Similarly, a practitioner may use a practitioner device 612 to access the application 525 through a network 511. The application 525 may, for example, display a webpage which provides access to the system 510. As shown in block 602, a rehabilitation application 525 or website is provided. As shown in block 604, a practitioner prescribes rehabilitation exercises. The practitioner may access the application 525 or website over a network 512 and input the prescribed rehabilitation exercises into the application 525 or website, for example, by choosing or modifying exercises from the rehabilitation exercise database 524 or by creating new exercises.

After a rehabilitation exercise prescription or plan has been developed by the practitioner, the prescribed rehabilitation exercises may be provided to the patient, as shown in block 606. For example, the prescribed exercises may be provided from the application 525 directly to a patient device 512 over a network 511. The prescribed rehabilitation exercises may be provided to the patient device, for example, by email. Additionally or alternatively, an indication that the the prescribed rehabilitation exercises are available may be transmitted to the patient device 512 or to the patient's email, and the patient may then access the prescribed exercises by logging on or otherwise accessing the application 525 or website.

As shown in block 608, the patient performs the prescribed exercises. At block 610, patient activity is monitored. The performance of exercises may be monitored, for example, by the sensor 515, which may be any motion sensor, including a Kinect or any motion sensor within a mobile phone or other device such as an accelerometer. Information relating to performance of exercises (e.g., information sensed by the sensor 515) is transmitted over a network 511 to the application 525. At block 612, the patient monitoring, or performance of exercise, information is recorded, for example, in the exercise performance database 526, which may be made accessible to the prescribing physician or practitioner, or may be transmitted directly to a practitioner device 612.While the invention as described herein has been focused to rehabilitative exercises, there may be other physical actions that can be produced and displayed under similar guidelines for these or other purposes, and such other actions are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of rehabilitation exercises, the system may provide stretching exercises for able-bodied individuals which may be performed, e.g. at the user's desk.

Yet other possibilities are possible. For example, custom DVDs may be created, for example, as instruction cooking programs, woodworking programs, motor vehicle and home repair. Still other possibilities are to create customized tour programs, customized pet training programs and customized sport instructional programs, e.g. for teaching tennis, skiing, golf, etc.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Claims

1. An exercise system, the system comprising:

a programmable device having non-transitory machine-readable media;

a first code stored on said non-transitory machine-readable media, wherein the first code tracks time elapsed after the performance of an exercise;

a second code stored on said non-transitory machine-readable media, wherein the second code provides reminders to a user of the device to perform exercises at intervals measured by the first code; and

a third code stored on said non-transitory machine-readable media, wherein the third code tracks exercises performed.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fourth code on said non-transitory machine-readable media for tracking interaction between a user and the programmable device, wherein the second code provides reminders at intervals of activity as measured cooperatively between the first and fourth codes.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fifth code on said non-transitory machine-readable media for demonstrating the exercises on a display screen, wherein the display screen is in communication with the programmable device.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sixth code on said non-transitory machine-readable media operative through a user input for modifying one of the group comprising: exercises to be performed and a size of the intervals.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the fourth code tracks interaction between the user and the programmable device when the exercises are supposed to be performed, thereby policing performance of the exercises.

6. A method of overseeing performance of rehabilitative exercises, enabled at least in part on a programmable device having non-transitory machine-readable media, the method comprising: providing a first code stored on said non-transitory machine-readable media for tracking time elapsed after the performance of an exercise;

providing a second code stored on said non-transitory machine-readable media for providing reminders to a user to perform exercises at intervals according to tracked time; and

providing a third code stored on said non-transitory machine-readable media for tracking exercises performed.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising tracking interaction between a user and the programmable device, wherein reminders are provided at intervals of activity as measured over time tracked.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising demonstrating the exercises on a display screen, wherein the display screen is in communication with the programmable device.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising modifying one of the group comprising: exercises to be performed and a size of the intervals.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising tracking interaction between the user and the programmable device while the exercises are supposed to be performed, thereby policing performance of the exercises.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the exercises comprise rehabilitation exercises.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the exercises comprise stretching exercises.

13. A patient rehabilitation system comprising:

a rehabilitation application, hosted at least partially on a server and electronically accessible over at least one network system, wherein said application is configured to:

receive input from a practitioner device and to create a rehabilitation plan based on said input;

provide the rehabilitation plan to a patient device; and

receive information relating to the performance of an exercise in the rehabilitation plan from the patient device and provide the information relating to the performance of an exercise to the practitioner device.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

at least one practitioner device positioned to access the rehabilitation application; and

at least one patient device positioned to access the rehabilitation application.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a sensor for sensing performance of a rehabilitation exercise, said sensor configured to provide information relating to the performance of an exercise to at least one of the practitioner device and the patient device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer and a 3D motion sensing device.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising a rehabilitation exercise database, accessible by the application, said rehabilitation exercise database configured to store information related to rehabilitation exercises which may be prescribed as part of the rehabilitation plan.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the information related to rehabilitation exercises comprises information related to at least one of: types of exercises which may be prescribed; video or image information depicting proper performance of rehabilitation exercises; information relating to prescribed duration or frequency of performing exercises; and patient information.

19. The system of claim 13, further comprising an exercise performance database, accessible by the application, said exercise performance database configured to store information relating to a patient's performance of exercises in the rehabilitation plan.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the rehabilitation application is associated with one or more webpage accessible to the at least one practitioner device and the at least one patient device.

21. A computer-implemented method of monitoring rehabilitation comprising:

creating a rehabilitation plan for a patient based on input received from a practitioner device;

providing the rehabilitation plan to a patient device;

receiving information relating to the performance of an exercise in the rehabilitation plan from the patient device; and

providing the information relating to the performance of an exercise to the practitioner device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the method is facilitated at least partially by one or more webpage accessible to the practitioner device and the patient device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the information relating to the performance of an exercise comprises information sensed by a sensor including at least one of an accelerometer and a 3D motion sensor.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the rehabilitation plan is provided to the patient device via email.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the information relating to the performance of an exercise is provided to the practitioner device as a real-time compliance report.

26. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions for providing a rehabilitation monitoring process enabled at least in part on a processor of a computerized device, the instructions, which when executed by the processor, performing the steps of:

creating a rehabilitation plan for a patient based on input received from a practitioner device;

providing the rehabilitation plan to a patient device;

receiving information relating to the performance of an exercise in the rehabilitation plan from the patient device; and

providing the information relating to the performance of an exercise to the practitioner device.