In a breakthrough for virtual physical therapy, Sword Health, a pain management startup, has introduced an artificial intelligence solution called Phoenix. This innovative AI system allows patients to have a conversation with a virtual physical therapist during their therapy sessions. Sword Health, which was founded in 2015, has been providing digital tools to help patients manage pain from the comfort of their homes, avoiding the need for medication or surgery. However, CEO Virgílio Bento believes that Phoenix takes the experience to a new level by creating a more human-like interaction.
With Phoenix, patients can directly communicate with the AI system, discussing their progress and receiving instant feedback. The virtual physical therapist can also adjust the difficulty and duration of each session in real-time. To participate in the sessions, patients utilize a tablet provided by Sword Health that tracks their movement. Phoenix monitors their progress, collecting performance data, and sends it to Sword’s human clinicians for review. This data analysis helps the clinicians operate more efficiently, allowing them to make better recommendations for the patient’s next session.
Bento emphasizes that while Phoenix is highly capable, it does not make decisions independently. The ultimate authority lies with Sword’s human clinicians, who have the final say on exercise appropriateness. Bento explains, “This is healthcare, so you will always need that final approval. We have strong guardrails in terms of how we do things.” This ensures that patient safety and appropriate care remain a top priority.
Sword Health has already conducted over 3 million AI-powered sessions with patients, demonstrating the effectiveness of their technology. Initially focused on business customers, the company aims to make its solutions available to a wider audience. To support its expansion plans, Sword Health recently raised $100 million in a secondary sale. In total, the company has raised $340 million and currently holds a valuation of $3 billion.
Success with their “Thrive” digital physical therapy product has encouraged Sword to further develop Phoenix. The company plans to roll out the AI solution to more patients within Thrive and extend its availability to other offerings, including the “Bloom” pelvic health solution.
Sword Health’s introduction of Phoenix revolutionizes the field of virtual physical therapy, offering patients a more personalized and interactive experience. By incorporating AI, patients can now have in-depth conversations about their progress and receive real-time feedback. The system not only enhances patient experience but also assists human clinicians in delivering efficient and effective care. With Sword Health’s continued advancements in AI solutions, the future of virtual physical therapy is brighter than ever before.
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