A healthcare IT startup is developing physical rehabilitation software that could be prescribed by doctors or physical therapists.
Reflexion Health has raised $4.25 million from the West Health Investment Fund for its Rehabilitation Tracker program, according to a company statement. It is an affiliate of the West Health Institute founded by telemarketing billionaires Gary and Mary West.
The program uses Microsoft Kinect motion software licensed from the West Health Institute. The Rehabilitation Tracker provides exercises, instructional videos and patient education material that can be set to the needs of each patient. The software allows a physician and physical therapist to track the performance and adherence of their patient.
The concept of prescribing software programs isn’t a new one. New York-based Happtique has been recruiting for a prescription apps pilot program that includes physical therapy as well as areas such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and personal training.
It’s the second of two companies in the La Jolla, California-based West Health Incubator, also affiliated with the West Health Institute. The first was Sense4Baby, a company developing wireless, remote fetal monitoring systems to help obstetricians monitor the health of a mother and baby remotely when a physician isn’t available.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
