Inpatient Stroke Services at Trafford General Hospital using ROBERT®

The first UK trial of the ROBERT® has commenced at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

The Inpatient Stroke Services at Trafford General Hospital will be using the ROBERT®, a robotic rehabilitation device for early mobilisation, for the next three months with their acute patients.

Jennifer Harrison, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: ”The use of robotic-assisted training within stroke rehabilitation has been gathering momentum over the last few years. However, it remains far away from daily clinical practice within the NHS. The team are excited at the prospect of working with ROBERT® to determine the clinical impact, alongside patient and staff experience.”

Keld Thorsen, CEO at Life Science Robotics, said: “We are pleased that ROBERT® is now able to provide intensive rehabilitation to stroke patients in the UK, particularly during the crucial early stages of recovery. In the UK, approximately 100,000 individuals suffer a stroke each year, and around 1.3 million stroke survivors experience a reduced quality of life. Receiving intensive training will help patients in regaining function and ultimately achieving self-reliance, significantly enhancing their quality of life.”

Sara Brammall, Managing Director at Summit Medical and Scientific, said: “We are pleased to commence the first ever UK trial with the ROBERT® and see patients using this state-of-the-art robotic device in this country for the first time. We are looking forward to hearing the experiences of therapists using the ROBERT® and excited to see how patients progress over the next three months.”

About the ROBERT®

ROBERT® uniquely mobilises patients as early as possible, facilitating intensive upper and lower limb rehabilitation either in-bed or seated with just one device.
Its unique 7 degrees of freedom allows therapists to first define the movement using the device, including Activities of Daily Living or Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation.

The ROBERT® then repeats the intensive therapy, offering different levels of resistance and support based on the patient’s ability.

Even severely impaired patients can be mobilised using ROBERT®, supporting a patient’s rehabilitation as soon as possible after their admission to hospital. Getting patients moving early and intensively is an important step towards optimal recovery and facilitating neuroplasticity.

For therapists, ROBERT®‘s assistive technology reduces the need for heavy and repetitive lifts, freeing resources for other aspects of clinical treatment and reducing the strain on the therapist. Clinicians can transport the device throughout their facility to each patient, and simply plug, attach, record and play using the intuitive interface. Patients can be set up and ready to go in as little as three minutes.

ROBERT® is developed by Life Science Robotics and represented in the UK by Summit Medical and Scientific.

About Summit Medical and Scientific

Summit Medical and Scientific are passionate about the power of rehabilitation technology.

We represent clinical technology leaders Life Science Robotics, Hocoma, Motek and ddrobotec® to provide the total solution for rehabilitation in the UK. Our partners have developed innovative therapy devices using robotics, sensors and virtual reality for early and acute rehabilitation, gait and balance therapy, arm and hand therapy, body weight support and more. View all of our clinical solutions here.

Get in touch with Summit Medical and Scientific today to find out more about incorporating state-of-the-art rehabilitation technology into your practice. You can reach out via email at info@summitmedsci.co.uk or phone 01372 459863.

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