In their project, the researchers will investigate how physiotherapists and patients with neurological disorders experience the B-FIT training program (www.amsterdamumc.org/trainingswijzer), in combination with the HRV4Training app. The aim of the resesarch is to determine whether this training method is effective, safe and useful for application in the home situation - and whether it increases confidence to train independently at home.
Patients also have an important role in the research; the patient advisory board of the MS Center Amsterdam helped with the grant application, and representatives of the MS Association are on the project group.
Physical training has proven benefits for people with neurological disorders. Many patients train in a hospital or practice supervised by physical therapists. This may also be possible safely at home. Eric Voorn and his colleagues have developed the B-FIT program that allows physiotherapists to create customized exercise programs for the home situation. However, many physiotherapists and patients fear overexertion from training in the home situation. To monitor this, the app HRV4Training is used to measure the heart rate. If overload is imminent, physical therapists can adjust the program.