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 Introduction to  SportKAT Balance Systems 1700 and 1750

 We would like to give you some more detailed information about the basic computerized SportKAT balance and training systems.

 The idea of the KAT unit was born during an ACL-Repair study in San Diego. One female patient recovered over five times faster than all other patients. There was no obvious reason for this quick recovery, so the medical staff began asking the patients that participated in the study questions about their personal life. They discovered that the woman who recovered so quickly lived on a house boat and inadvertently received "natural proprioceptive retraining". Those findings lead to the development of the KAT unit.

 Since its development, the KAT System has been successfully used by Orthopedic Surgeons and Physical Therapists for post injury and post surgery proprioceptive retraining for over 15 years.  During those years the KAT System has been modified and improved.  A thermal accelerometer was attached to the platformt he patient stands on to track motion and degrees of deflection.  A computer was added to collect all the data and generate reports and graphs.  A monitor was added with the computer to allow the patient to receive instantaneous bio-feed back. The monitor shows the movement of a cursor that provides a real time picture of the direction and degree of deflection of the platform.

 With these improvements, the KAT System was ready to move into new uncharted waters.  While the KAT System remained an outstanding tool for proprioceptive retraining it was now capable of Neurosensory Remapping.  With the computer and the KAT Win Software, it was now possible for the health care professional to have Documented Neurosensory Testing and Training.  Approximately four (4) years ago it was discovered that the Computer Dynamic KAT System had become an invaluable tool for assessment and rehabilitation of almost every Neurosensory disorder.  It has been used for the treatment of Jet pilots who develop severe cases of vertigo, Soldiers in Iraq who are recuperating from close head injuries, seniors with vestibular disorders, stroke patients, Parkinson’s, as well as MS, Ataxia and other muscle control disorders.

 The KAT balance platform is mounted to a base which prevents unwanted twisting motions that are common with other balance boards. The platform is centrally pivoted on top of the pressure bladder. With this unique design you have a 360 degree full range of motion at + or - 20 degrees. This allows for fluid and smooth natural range of motion and movement at variable instability settings. The KAT system measures angular displacement based on time and distance from the target (static and dynamic).

 Testing:

The KAT unit has a "static" and a "dynamic moving" test mode. In the static mode the patient has to maintain the cursor on the "bull's eye", whereas in the dynamic moving mode he or she has to "chase a ball" in given patterns at various speeds. Each test lasts 30 seconds and the screen

displays the motion pattern of the patient with a balance index (from 0-5000), left/right ratio,

anterior/posterior ratio, and indexes for all four quadrants. Each test is automatically saved if you select that feature

The KAT unit uses a large color monitor that is easy to see by the patient which makes learning and reacting a lot easier and is used as a motivational tool to help them reach their therapeutic goal. All test results can printed for submission to insurance carriers.

Training:

The KAT unit has four training modes; static and dynamic moving (same as in test mode), plus a dynamic mode where the patient has to duplicate given figures such a a circle, square, figure 8, etc., and a  "maze" mode, where the patient has to go through a maze and hit all red dots (a fun activity for most patients). The training time can be selected by the therapist (typically 5-15 min.), and after each training session the patient will receive his or her "scores". After a few training sessions the patient is tested again (at the same pressure level as before) and the test results should indicate an improvement.

The computer requirements are very basic:

Windows 2000 or higher. 200 MHz processor speed. 32 MB RAM, 20 MB hard disk space. CD-ROM drive. SVGA color display with 8 MB video memory. In other words, in today's market you can not buy a computer that does not fit these requirements.

Summary:

The KAT unit is an effective, patient friendly, easy to learn and easy to use balance testing and training system. The platform/bladder system provides an unparalleled, full, smooth, and natural 360 degree range of motion. The software has a "walk-through" menu and contains various testing and training modes with calculation of a balance index, left/right ratios, anterior/posterior ratios, and indexes for each quadrant. The patient motion is displayed in a yellow "tracing" mode.

Please call us for any questions at 800-831-7665.

Thank You!