For physiotherapists, manual muscle testing (MMT) has long reigned supreme. The method, which requires physical therapists (PTS) and other practitioners to use their hands to assign a “grade” to a patient’s muscle strength and range of motion, is highly subjective. Because MMT is based on feel – and not objective data – it can be difficult for PTs to keep patients engaged, and health outcomes may suffer.
To address the challenges associated with MMT, modern, digitally driven tools have emerged in recent years. Biofeedback devices, like those from KINVENT, generate quantitative data – and have revolutionized the physical therapy and athletic training industries.
If you are a PT who still relies on manual testing methods and tools to treat patients, you may be interested in investing in biofeedback equipment – but are wary about the cost. Here’s how to balance considerations about quality and cost when researching your options – so you can maximize health outcomes for your patients and get the greatest financial return on your investment.
Step One: Assess Your Practice’s Needs & Establish Your Budget
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to biofeedback devices. A range of device types – including force plates, goniometers and dynamometers – exists. Among those options, some device types may be a more appropriate fit for your practice than others. Because of this, it’s important to consider the following factors before you begin researching equipment:
- Patient profile: How old is your average patient? How active are they? Do they have any limitations that could make it challenging for them to complete exercises on a certain device? (ex. a patient with poor grip strength may struggle to complete exercises with a heavy hand dynamometer)
- Your specialty: Does your practice provide generalist or specialist care? Is there a particular family of injuries you commonly treat? Or a region of the body you specialize in?
- Your workspace: How much space is available to you? Do you have adequate space to properly store new equipment?
- Rules and requirements: What are the health and safety regulations your practice must comply with? Do devices and software need to be HIPAA compliant?
- Connectivity and collaboration: Do you commonly work with other members of a patient’s care team? If so, how do you generally share information? Have you spoken with them about streamlining the transfer of information?
Once you have answers to the questions above and a clear sense of your practice’s needs, establish a rough budget for new equipment. While doing so, be sure to consider the long-term costs that can be associated with biofeedback equipment:
- Some equipment is lease-only, which can become expensive over time
- Nearly every Bluetooth-enabled piece of biofeedback equipment requires a subscription to, or the outright purchase of, software
Step Two: Survey Your Options
Not all biofeedback equipment is created equally – key differences exist between offerings. Before digging into the specifics that will help you make cost versus quality determinations, there are some high-level considerations to keep in mind.
Ecosystem vs. standalone
If you plan to invest in more than one piece of biofeedback equipment (or would like to have the option to do so in the future), look for a brand that manufactures an ecosystem of products – and standalone devices.
KINVENT, for example, consists of eight devices – two models of force plates, a goniometer, an EMG sensor, and hand, handheld, traction, and pneumatic dynamometers – that are connected to an app, the KINVENT Physio App. The devices can be used alone or together, which gives users a high degree of flexibility.
Clinical vs. athletic training focus
On whole, the biofeedback device industry is sports-training centric; many popular devices were manufactured for athletic trainers and coaches. While that may not be a problem for some, it means many devices are not appropriate for the majority of clinicians.
If you work for or with a medical system, you will need to select devices and software that are HIPAA compliant and, ideally, integrated with EMR and similar systems. KINVENT is an outlier in this regard: it was developed by and for clinicians, and thus prioritizes clinical applications, integrations and regulations.
Own vs. lease
Some biofeedback device brands, like VALD, do not offer the option to purchase devices. Instead, devices and software are bundled and leased out on fixed terms. While some may like the flexibility of a leasing model, it is not a suitable or cost effective solution for all.
For more in-depth comparisons of the most popular biofeedback devices on the market, read our guides comparing:
- Force Plates: KINVENT K-Force Plates, KINVENT K-Deltas, VALD ForceDecks FDMini, Hawkin Dynamics Gen5 Force Plates
- Hand Dynamometers: KINVENT K-Grip, Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer (manual device, not biofeedback), Jamar Plus Hand Dynamometer (digital device, not biofeedback)
- Handheld Dynamometers: KINVENT K-Push, Hoggan Scientific microFET 2, Lafayette HHD, VALD Dynamo Lite, ActivForce 2
Step Three: Weigh Quality & Cost
Investment in biofeedback equipment is just that: an investment. While considering cost, be sure to take return on investment (ROI) into account. The right equipment will not only pay for itself but can also increase revenue in the following ways:
- Increased patient engagement: When patients can see their progress, easily and quantifiably, they are more likely to attend all sessions
- Streamlined testing: When the burden of test prep, number-crunching and guesswork is removed, you have time to treat more patients
- A competitive edge: Using state-of-the-art equipment is an easy way to differentiate your practice from others, and can attract new patients
To ensure you get the best bang for your buck, here’s what to look for in a biofeedback device (or ecosystem of devices):
- Reputation: Look for devices that are widely (and well) reviewed and are used and trusted by major medical systems, universities and others
- Durability: Fragile devices – that must be replaced or calibrated frequently – can become costly, easily
- Maintenance: For the safety of your patients and reputation of your practice, devices should be easy to clean and maintain
- Ergonomics: To increase engagement and experience, and reduce the risk of injury, devices should be easy and comfortable to use
Try KINVENT for Yourself
While the right solution will differ by practice, KINVENT is highly regarded in the physiotherapy industry. KINVENT’s biofeedback devices and the KINVENT Physio App have revolutionized the way physical therapists, sports medicine practitioners and others deliver care to their patients. The flexibility, accuracy and efficiency of KINVENT devices, and the app’s advanced reporting capabilities, help clinicians provide superior – and more collaborative and engaging – care to their patients. As a result, health outcomes improve and those who purchase the devices see a significant return on their investment.
To learn more, read KINVENT’s guide: How to Balance Cost and Quality in Your Equipment Choices.
Ready to try KINVENT for yourself? Contact JLW Instrument’s KINVENT product experts to schedule a free trial.
