Rising to advanced gait rehabilitation
Rising to advanced gait rehabilitation
Robotic technology is increasingly being used in rehabilitation for people recovering from a stroke or spinal cord injury. An important innovation is body weight support: systems that support the body during standing and walking. This allows patients to start gait training early and safely, when independent walking is not yet possible.
One of the latest systems is the RYSEN (Motek Medical). This system consists of a harness around the trunk, connected to a ceiling-mounted rail via a yoke and four cables. Using pulleys and smart actuators, patients can walk while their body weight is supported. Support is provided not only vertically, but also forward, backwards and sideways. Moreover, the system features augmented reality, projecting interactive games onto the floor.
The versatility of such a system also raises questions. How does it fit within existing rehabilitation programs? How should appropriate settings be selected? And which settings are best for specific training goals?
This thesis of Sanne Ettema examines the current use of the RYSEN at Heliomare Rehabilitation Centre and explores its potential applications. The focus is on how therapists use the system and how its settings can be applied for specific training goals.
Initial findings are encouraging; the RYSEN is well-accepted among patients and therapists. The system enhances confidence in balance and offers opportunities for targeted gait training. However, guidelines for structured application within rehabilitation programs are limited. Further collaboration between researchers, engineers, clinicians and patients is therefore essential to establish clinical guidelines and fully exploit the potential of the RYSEN in rehabilitation.