Image: A woman is wearing an exoskeleton of Hocoma and playing a videogame; Copyright: beta-web/Brockmann

Topic of the Month June 2017

New technologies in physiotherapy

Exoskeletons for arms, hands and legs, videogames that motivate to move or a combination of both: More and more new technologies are being used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation, even in the home environment. They have in common that they support patients and therapists. Learn more about the use of sensor technology, robotics and more in our Topic of the Month June.

Exoskeletons, Serious Games and Co.: New Technologies in Rehabilitation

Image: Several people use the Armeo system and playing a videogame with it; Copyright: Hocoma, Schweiz

A stroke, an accident or just because you are aging – there are many reasons to take advantage of physiotherapeutic or rehabilitative measures. More and more new technologies are designed to support patients in this process. They run the gamut from sensor technology and robotics to exergames and virtual reality.

Read the article about new technologies in rehabilitation

"XoSoft" Project – Wearable Intelligent Exoskeleton

Image: In a movement laboratory, a man is wearing sensors on his legs and armst, while walking. During this he is being recorded and observed; Copyright: DAS BILD für ZHAW Gesundheit

After a stroke or as a result of aging, there are many situations when people are impaired in their walking ability and rely on a personal assistant or auxiliary aids and services. The XoSoft Project offers a solution: a soft exoskeleton that can be worn like a pair of leggings and stiffens or softens, depending on the situation.

Read the interview Professor Markus Wirz here

SilverFit – Training and gaming for the elderly

Image: Two elderly are sitting beside each other, looking on a screen, where a bingo game can be seen. One woman is standing up; Copyright: SilverFit, Robert ten Berge

Movement is good for health, but people do it less and less as they age. The Dutch company SilverFit wants to counteract this. Their devices that combine sport and game are primarily aimed at elderly people. Their goal: to give people joy, fun and motivation to move – both in rehabilitation and in daily life.

Read the interview with Joris Wiersinga here

ICAROS VR - Training and Prevention in Virtual Reality

The term gamification refers to the application of elements of game playing in non-game contexts, for example, to encourage participants to engage in a task that is otherwise deemed too monotonous. We are visiting the German Sport University Cologne to interview Dr. Boris Feodoroff, who together with his team is testing a training device that uses virtual reality and is designed to help stabilize the muscles of the trunk by using a flight simulator.

Source: MEDICA-tradefair.com