Abstract
In this paper, we explain a business model for rehabilitation as well as the use of brain function measurement with fNIRS to compare the benefits of traditional and new rehabilitation systems. In Japan, hospitals are well managed as one doctor examines many patients every day and obtains their medical service fees. However, increasing the number of physical therapists (PTs) is a poor management strategy for many hospitals, because one PT can work with only a few patients every day. Therefore, large and wealthy rehabilitation hospitals are able to employ PTs while small hospitals are not. We have proposed the new rehabilitation system in which one PT trains many patients by using some rehabilitation devices. Small hospitals that follow this system can hire some PTs, thereby expanding job opportunities for PTs. One problem remains in our proposed system: There has not been sufficient research to determine whether the rehabilitation benefits of our devices is sufficient for function recovery in comparison to traditional rehabilitation by PTs. Measurement of site activation in the brain is important in comparing recovery levels under the two systems, and this paper shows an easy method of measuring the same, using fNIRS.
