The Idea behind
Mitii - move it to improve it
The underlying idea for the training system MiTii, particularly developed for children with Cerebral Palsy, is "more action, less treatment" - "Move it to improve it". In this supervised, online trainingsystem, movement and learning are combined as the driving force towards long lasting improvement.
The general visions underlying the development of the MiTii program:
- People are different and need exercises that match their very individual needs.
- The training system must be cheap and easily accessible to the user.
- It must be possible for a child to exercise every day.
- A therapist must be able to observe and record the children's home training, and use the accumulated knowledge to customise the exercises.
The Purpose
Improved quality of life for children with cerebral palsy
The latest knowledge in brain research is utilised to create an effective training program for children with cerebral palsy, and to document the effect of regular training in a unique individualised combination of physical and cognitive exercises. The children using the program will be supported in a productive development leading towards a much more active and inclusive life.
The Process
Collaboration through an iterative systems development model
Headfitted has developed the training program for Helene Elsass Center and MiTii Development, in close collaboration with their team of specialists, along with the associated children and their families.
The collaboration process is based on "Scrum" principles, an iterative software development and project management model. The core element is the production of a working prototype, which is iteratively tested and refined together with a group of specialised therapists and the children with Cerebral Palsy.
The ongoing live tests and the daily use of the prototype, is triggering a continually clearer picture of the needs the system should meet. Hence the system is constantly being adjusted to new perspectives and lessons learned, in order to achieve optimal results in the final implementation.
The Result
A revolutionary training system.
The system is webbased so that users can log into the system via an ordinary webbrowser, and train through interaction with an ordinary webcam. The core of the system consists of two separate entries: a therapist section and a training section.
The therapist section gives the therapist an on-line platform to design a personalised training program for each child, highly specialised based on individual examinations and tests. This training program can continuously be modified and tailored to meet current developments and needs. The Internet-based system generates ongoing feedback to the therapist, with information about the child's daily training session, and the therapist can monitor frequency and duration of the exercises. The system enables the therapist to serve many users simultaneously.
The training section is the childs interface, consisting of a training program with the different exercises / games that are adjusted to the individual child. The computer program combines brain training with physical exercise, and it is designed to force the user to move the body while simultaneously solving various intellectual tasks. The interaction is facilitated by a webcam and a computer with Internet access. The webcam captures the user's movements and the computer transforms the movements into control of the carefully designed games / exercises.
Initially the system was tailored for the rehabilitation of children with Cerebral Palsy, but the system can be used by anyone with specific needs for individualized training, in a motivating and yet efficient manner. This makes the system ideal for many different areas of rehabilitation. The system is now released in version 1.0.
"The Højhastighedskomité" mentions Mitii in their report as an excellent example of how Denmark could produce development in the public sector, through value-adding digital services. Large efficiency gains can be obtained through IT service solutions, and the freed resources can be used to provide increased value in the public sector. For example, a more targeted effort can be provided for those citizens whose cases are more complex, and where digital services are not an option.