16/12/2022
As a security supervisor working long shifts, time has always been a luxury for Mdm Siti Khatijah Abdul, 68. When she noticed a small cut on her left foot one day, she simply covered it with a plaster and gave no further thought to treating the wound. This seemingly innocuous decision ended up changing her life forever.
Diagnosed with diabetes that was poorly managed, Mdm Siti was unaware that untreated wounds could lead to serious health outcomes. Over time, gangrene set in, causing the surrounding tissue to break down and die. To prevent the infection from affecting other parts of her body, she made the painful decision to undergo an amputation.
Transferred to St Luke’s Hospital after her operation, Mdm Siti spent the past two months in intensive rehabilitation to improve muscle strength in her lower and residual limb, in preparation for her prosthetic foot fitting.
Noticing that Mdm Siti enjoyed games such as Mobile Legends and Solitaire in her free time, senior physiotherapist Khin Wei Thet engaged her in therapy through gamification. Using interactive, engaging game-based rehabilitation tools that matched her abilities, gamification provides variation and attractiveness in rehabilitation, helping to facilitate recovery of her motor and cognitive functions.
“I never imagined that games like virtual football and motorbike racing could be integrated into rehabilitation. The element of fun really takes any anxiety off my mind, and it truly is something I look forward to every week. In fact, I feel more energetic and refreshed after each session,” said Mdm Siti.
“While it’s a regrettable situation, I am moving forward and doing my best to get back on my feet again,” said Mdm Siti. The jovial senior looks forward to continuing with rehabilitation to adapt to her new prosthetic foot, and is confident in returning to independence in the near future.
