A Foundation funded study is harnessing the power of technology using robotics, virtual reality and sensors to deliver better, faster upper limb rehabilitation outcomes after brain injury and stroke.
Giovanna Tornatore, Assistant Director Occupational Therapy at the Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), said that combining technology with traditional techniques increases the intensity of therapy and could help patients achieve their goals for greater independence after illness and injury.
“Technology enabled therapy can help a person improve strength, movement range and quality because of better engagement and greater intensity,” said Giovanna.
Taking a person-centred approach, with therapy being targeted towards achieving personal goals, the study is utilising robotics, VR and sensor-based therapy in tandem with the usual care delivered during upper limb neurorehabilitation.
For Rob Auld, who sustained a spinal injury in the December 2024 plane crash which killed his father, being admitted to STARS signalled a turning point in his recovery.
“I was in a wheelchair for three months, but after the move to STARS the focus shifted from keeping me alive to getting me back to actually living again.”
As a patient who experienced both traditional physiotherapy as well as robotic and sensor-based technology, Rob remains optimistic about his recovery.
“The staff were brilliant. I felt like a human being, not just a ‘patient’. Every day I had things I needed to do in the gym and with the physio to progress my recovery. They worked with me holistically to make sure that I was getting better in every way.
“Now I’m home and easing back into life and work. The next step is to get back to driving and riding my bike again – getting a bit more independence.”
Giovanna Tornatore, Assistant Director Occupational Therapy at the Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), said that combining technology with traditional techniques increases the intensity of therapy and could help patients achieve their goals for greater independence after illness and injury.
“Technology enabled therapy can help a person improve strength, movement range and quality because of better engagement and greater intensity,” said Giovanna.
“Patients really like using the devices because they challenge them to improve and we can target the part of their arm or hand they need to focus on. It uses therapeutic gamification that guides the patient through what is required and encourages them to push themselves to achieve their rehabilitation.”
This technology, Giovanna says, can help patients reach goals faster, so they can do the things they want to do with their loved ones, and re-engage with their community.
“It’s so they can have a drink with their mate or go to a social function and hold a glass of wine in one hand and a snack in the other - we want to see patients achieving their life goals, whether that’s getting back to work, back to their sports, or just enjoying family time.”
For patients who have experienced a neurological event that impacts use of their upper limbs, everything from driving to dressing and typing can suddenly be challenging or even impossible. “It’s so they can have a drink with their mate or go to a social function and hold a glass of wine in one hand and a snack in the other - we want to see patients achieving their life goals, whether that’s getting back to work, back to their sports, or just enjoying family time.”
Taking a person-centred approach, with therapy being targeted towards achieving personal goals, the study is utilising robotics, VR and sensor-based therapy in tandem with the usual care delivered during upper limb neurorehabilitation.
For Rob Auld, who sustained a spinal injury in the December 2024 plane crash which killed his father, being admitted to STARS signalled a turning point in his recovery.
“I was in a wheelchair for three months, but after the move to STARS the focus shifted from keeping me alive to getting me back to actually living again.”
As a patient who experienced both traditional physiotherapy as well as robotic and sensor-based technology, Rob remains optimistic about his recovery.
“The staff were brilliant. I felt like a human being, not just a ‘patient’. Every day I had things I needed to do in the gym and with the physio to progress my recovery. They worked with me holistically to make sure that I was getting better in every way.
“Now I’m home and easing back into life and work. The next step is to get back to driving and riding my bike again – getting a bit more independence.”
