Hobbs Rehabilitation in Bristol using C-Mill VR for amputee rehabilitation

Hobbs Rehabilitation in Bristol have shared their experience of using neurotechnology for physiotherapy within their new Amputee and Trauma Service, which launched in summer 2024.

The Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre are the UK Reference Centre for Summit Medical and Scientific, and have been using the Motek C-Mill VR, Hocoma Andago and Hocoma ArmeoSpring Pro since September 2024.

Caroline Hardman, Specialist Neurological and Amputee Physiotherapist at Hobbs Rehabilitation, has shared her clinical experience of using the C-Mill VR treadmill with amputee clients.

“Unique neurotechnology treadmill”

“It’s been a really great start to the Amputee and Trauma service which was launched last summer, particularly as we’ve seen continuous advancements in the neurotechnology we integrate into our treatments.

We’ve been making the most of the latest neurotechnology we have at our disposal here at the Bristol clinic within our amputee treatments.

I have always been a slight sceptic over using the treadmill with the amputee users, especially when they are first up and walking, or changing their prosthetic componentry.

In the past, I’ve had amputee patients describe the treadmill as ‘the floor moving away from under my feet’ or ‘the consistent speed of the treadmill stopping me getting into my groove when walking’. This is often because their cadence will change at the beginning, slowing down then speeding up – the treadmill makes this harder to do naturally.

However, we have the luxury of using the C-Mill VR, provided by Summit Medical and Scientific. This unique neurotechnology treadmill system stands out from ordinary treadmills for several key reasons. Firstly, because it has a hardness to prevent falls, giving the patient confidence and encouragement to take the first step, and also allows us therapists to really test the limits and challenge our patients further.

Even more excitingly, the C-Mill VR can project images onto the treadmill itself, which enables us access to different rehabilitation games, a really great benefit that motivates the patient and keeps them engaged. My favourite so far is the ‘stepping stones’ game, which projects light boxes where the patients are stepping. We can then manually adjust where these light boxes are – so they can extend their stride length or narrow their base of support and even more!”

“Allowing access to a more symmetrical gait pattern”

“In this video, you can see the prosthetic limb wearer starts with a reduced stance phase on the prosthetic side, resulting in a shorter step length of his right limb.

However, I extend the step length on the right, and shorten the left length, and over the next few steps he manages to step on light boxes, allowing access to a more symmetrical gait pattern.

Using this neurotechnology as an adjunct to our normal everyday prosthetic physiotherapy has been great, and has enabled our patients to feel what equal stride lengths should feel like, and how to put them into a more functional setting in their everyday life.

It’s inspiring to see how integrating traditional amputee and trauma rehabilitation approaches with cutting-edge neurotechnology, like the C-Mill VR, can transform a patient’s recovery journey, helping them reach their full potential.”

Read the full article here.

About the C-Mill VR

The C-Mill VR by Motek Medical is an innovative treadmill for the evaluation and training of impaired gait and balance. Using augmented reality, virtual reality, acoustic cues and force plate technology, the C-Mill VR is the ideal solution for effective functional movement therapy. The C-Mill VR uses targets, obstacle avoidance, dual-tasking applications, realistic virtual reality environments and a variety of challenges to train balance and gait adaptability strategies. This prepares patients for functional movement in everyday life – all within a safe and controlled environment. Read more.

About Summit Medical and Scientific

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

We represent clinical technology leaders Hocoma, Motek, Life Science Robotics 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, lower limb resistance training 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.

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