Graphic: Digital animation of a male upper body with outstretched arms. Across the whole picture stands: REHABILITATION; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Kheng Ho Toh

Topic of the Month May 2018

Modern rehabilitation

Being able to lead a life as self-determined as possible depends on many factors. No matter whether an accident leads to a permanent disability or a stroke throws the body off the balance for now – rehabilitative measures help to better cope with the small and large processes of everyday life again. In our Topic of the Month May "Modern rehabilitation" we shed more light on the extent to which robot- or technology-supported assistance systems are increasingly being used and the advantages they bring.

Modern rehabilitation: Tailored to the individual patient and assisted by robots

Photo: Various therapy devices from Tyromotion, including patients who perform exercises under the supervision of physiotherapists; Copyright: Tyromotion

Rehabilitation is the silent hero of the healthcare system. Whether it’s artificial cruciate ligaments after a sports injury, a permanent disability after an accident or recovery after a stroke – no matter whether a condition is reversible or not, rehabilitation tries its best to prepare people for a self-determined life and make participation a reality again.

Click here for the article about modern rehabilitation

Rehabilitation: A mix of conventional and robot-assisted therapy leads to success

Photo: A physiotherapist assists a patient in using the ArmeoSpring; Copyright: Hocoma, Switzerland

The rehabilitation sector increasingly uses robot-assisted or technology-based assistance systems to perform the often repetitive exercises and support and motivate patients to keep up with the arduous therapies. This boosts progress in rehabilitation and enables patients to live a self-determined life after rehabilitation – holding true to the motto, "Rehabilitation before long-term care".

Click here for the interview with Dr. Bender

"Putting patients at the center of modern rehabilitation"

Photo: Older man during a rehabilitation unit with the Tyromotion system; Copyright: Tyromotion

These days, rehabilitation also includes systems that are designed to make the work of the therapist easier and motivate the patient. Needless to say, robot-assisted therapy must be able to meet the requirements of individual rehabilitation. It is key that manufacturers and therapists team up and collaborate. As is the case with the Graz-based company Tyromotion.

Click here for the interview with Tyromotion

Video: inRehaRob: Robot-assisted rehabilitation after a stroke

If movement disorders occur after a stroke, extensive rehabilitation is necessary. To ensure that this can also take place without the presence of a physiotherapist, RWTH Aachen University is working on the inRehaRob project. Its subject is a robotic arm that will enable independent training sessions in the future.

Gif animation: REHACARE 2020 from 23rd to 26th September in Düsseldorf/Germany, linked to "More information about the Trade Fair"