Adena Greenfield offers new robotic therapy
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Loss of arm function is one of the most devastating consequences of stroke. And in the U.S., alone, about 800,000 people each year suffer from a Cerebrovascular Accident, or stroke, with more than half requiring physical and/or occupational therapy.
But with the help of a robot – the first such robot to be used in Ohio – Adena Greenfield Medical Center (AGMC) is providing stroke patients with a revolutionary new kind of therapeutic treatment that is helping in their recovery.
In August, the Center’s Rehabilitation Services introduced ReoTherapy to its patients. The robot, which cost about $60,000, was a welcomed gift from the Adena Health System Auxiliary.
“We thought it was definitely beyond anything that we would have because it was so innovative,” says Kris Donley, Rehab Outreach Coordinator at AGMC. “We’re a small, rural hospital and to be able to provide that service here for our patients so they don’t have to travel to Cincinnati, Dayton or Columbus is amazing.”
Although it doesn’t talk or walk, ReoTherapy does a remarkable job of helping patients regain control of their upper extremities.
“It can be used for anyone who has upper extremity limitations, but we use it mostly for stroke care,” Donley explained. The robot is also being used on an outpatient basis for treating children with cerebral palsy.
“We are stroke specialty-certified with CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities,” Donley explained. As of late October, the hospital treated 25 stroke patients, who stay an average of 20 days at the center – significantly less than the national average, which is 33.
And because Adena Health System serves 10 counties, the medical staff at Greenfield sees patients from a wide geographic region.
Looking like a cross between a futuristic golf cart and mobile computer desk, ReoTherapy provides a much needed extra hand to physical and occupational therapists, which are primarily responsible for the treatment of recovering stroke patients.
A patient takes a seat in the robot-assisted unit and belts in. A sort of pendulum arm extends from the bottom of the machine to different pieces of adaptive equipment above, which are attached to and used by the patient based on input from their physical therapist.
ReoTherapy is equipped with a laptop computer that has exercises built into its hardware to assist patients with their therapy, although therapists can customize exercises specifically for patients.
“There are five treatment options, depending on the level of function of each patient. The treatment modes move along the continuum of recovery by offering passive movements in which the machine manually moves the arm through active movements – all completely controlled by the patient,” Donley said.
By watching the laptop, patients are guided through the movements chosen for them by their therapist. They are also able to monitor their progress as they work through exercises to regain strength in their upper body.
While some might question the value of robotic therapy, medical researchers repeatedly have shown that equipment like ReoTherapy has an important role in medicine today.
“Robotic therapy is important because studies show that numerous repetitions can stimulate cortical reorganization in stroke patients,” Donley said. In other words, the more times you exercise your arm, the more likely your brain will enable you to recover use of your arm.
Using robotic therapy also frees physical therapists to work on other needed treatments, she explained. “The Reo delivers effective repetitive motion and allows the therapist the opportunity to focus on other therapy needs of the patient. So basically, you can get twice the therapy in half the time.”
What’s more, “the machine gives the therapist feedback on how the patient is responding to therapy.” While a therapist can determine progress based on what he or she sees and what patients share, Reo can scientifically monitor the patient’s activities.
The response from patients has been positive. “They are enjoying it because it is completely different than any other form of therapy they have experienced. The way the screen is set up, it is fun, like playing a game.” And that enables them to work toward goals, Donley said.
“Robotics provides the ideal vehicle for facilitating highly engaging repetitive movement training,” according to Motorika, which developed ReoTherapy. “ReoTherapy enables recovery results that outstrip the boundaries of traditional therapies.”
Perhaps more importantly, “It just gives us another avenue to provide quality specialty care,” Donley added.
For more information about ReoTherapy at Adena Greenfield Medical Center, or other services at the Hospital, call (937) 981-9237.
Loss of arm function is one of the most devastating consequences of stroke. And in the U.S., alone, about 800,000 people each year suffer from a Cerebrovascular Accident, or stroke, with more than half requiring physical and/or occupational therapy.
But with the help of a robot – the first such robot to be used in Ohio – Adena Greenfield Medical Center (AGMC) is providing stroke patients with a revolutionary new kind of therapeutic treatment that is helping in their recovery.
In August, the Center’s Rehabilitation Services introduced ReoTherapy to its patients. The robot, which cost about $60,000, was a welcomed gift from the Adena Health System Auxiliary.
“We thought it was definitely beyond anything that we would have because it was so innovative,” says Kris Donley, Rehab Outreach Coordinator at AGMC. “We’re a small, rural hospital and to be able to provide that service here for our patients so they don’t have to travel to Cincinnati, Dayton or Columbus is amazing.”
Although it doesn’t talk or walk, ReoTherapy does a remarkable job of helping patients regain control of their upper extremities.
“It can be used for anyone who has upper extremity limitations, but we use it mostly for stroke care,” Donley explained. The robot is also being used on an outpatient basis for treating children with cerebral palsy.
“We are stroke specialty-certified with CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities,” Donley explained. As of late October, the hospital treated 25 stroke patients, who stay an average of 20 days at the center – significantly less than the national average, which is 33.
And because Adena Health System serves 10 counties, the medical staff at Greenfield sees patients from a wide geographic region.
Looking like a cross between a futuristic golf cart and mobile computer desk, ReoTherapy provides a much needed extra hand to physical and occupational therapists, which are primarily responsible for the treatment of recovering stroke patients.
A patient takes a seat in the robot-assisted unit and belts in. A sort of pendulum arm extends from the bottom of the machine to different pieces of adaptive equipment above, which are attached to and used by the patient based on input from their physical therapist.
ReoTherapy is equipped with a laptop computer that has exercises built into its hardware to assist patients with their therapy, although therapists can customize exercises specifically for patients.
“There are five treatment options, depending on the level of function of each patient. The treatment modes move along the continuum of recovery by offering passive movements in which the machine manually moves the arm through active movements – all completely controlled by the patient,” Donley said.
By watching the laptop, patients are guided through the movements chosen for them by their therapist. They are also able to monitor their progress as they work through exercises to regain strength in their upper body.
While some might question the value of robotic therapy, medical researchers repeatedly have shown that equipment like ReoTherapy has an important role in medicine today.
“Robotic therapy is important because studies show that numerous repetitions can stimulate cortical reorganization in stroke patients,” Donley said. In other words, the more times you exercise your arm, the more likely your brain will enable you to recover use of your arm.
Using robotic therapy also frees physical therapists to work on other needed treatments, she explained. “The Reo delivers effective repetitive motion and allows the therapist the opportunity to focus on other therapy needs of the patient. So basically, you can get twice the therapy in half the time.”
What’s more, “the machine gives the therapist feedback on how the patient is responding to therapy.” While a therapist can determine progress based on what he or she sees and what patients share, Reo can scientifically monitor the patient’s activities.
The response from patients has been positive. “They are enjoying it because it is completely different than any other form of therapy they have experienced. The way the screen is set up, it is fun, like playing a game.” And that enables them to work toward goals, Donley said.
“Robotics provides the ideal vehicle for facilitating highly engaging repetitive movement training,” according to Motorika, which developed ReoTherapy. “ReoTherapy enables recovery results that outstrip the boundaries of traditional therapies.”
Perhaps more importantly, “It just gives us another avenue to provide quality specialty care,” Donley added.
For more information about ReoTherapy at Adena Greenfield Medical Center, or other services at the Hospital, call (937) 981-9237.
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