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Revolutionising Rehab: Exploring the Transformative Applications of the Robotic Rehabilitation Device, hunova

Published by Harry Halsey (July 12th 2024)

Introduction

Rehabilitation is crucial for restoring function and independence no matter a patient's pathology. Whether it is recovery of illness, injury or enhancing overall quality of life, it plays a pivotal role when preventing complications, managing pain or supporting individuals adapting to disabilities. Due to the advancements in technology, robotic rehabilitation devices like hunova have the ability to facilitate effective treatment interventions while reducing the burden on staff and resources. Robotic devices can transform rehabilitation clinics from labour-intensive to technology-enabled workflows, providing a rich stream of data aiding the diagnosis of patients and assisting therapy. With over 155 devices installed worldwide, hunova is the most comprehensive full body device available to support clinicians throughout the complete rehabilitation process. Evidence-based, this innovative robotic device can be implemented within departments spanning from neuro to sports medicine, with the mutual aim of providing intensive, efficient care. Continue reading to explore how hunova supports three key areas of rehabilitation... 

hunova

1) Neurological Rehabilitation

hunova is one of the most effective robots available for rehabilitation of patients with neurological conditions, including stroke, spinal cord and Parkinson’s disease cases [1]. The device features a unique robotic force platform and chair, that can operate in conjunction or independently of one another, challenging patients' lower limbs, core stability and pelvic control, unlike alternative systems available. Often, dynamic postural training devices neglect patients that are not able to stand freely. However, thanks to hunova’s motorised chair, larger cohorts of patients can have access to highly desired core, postural and pelvic rehabilitation. 

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Adaptable exercise was at the forefront of the development team’s mind when designing hunova. With an extensive bank of 200+ exercises, each customisable to the user's functional limits, practitioners can challenge patients within a safe environment. To name one example, the therapist can set angle, time and force limits of the chair and platform for each task. This process can be enhanced by designing tailored macro areas for patient pathologies i.e., stroke specific tasks to remobilise and strengthen the individual in a repetitive manor, in line with the National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke rehabilitation [2]. 

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Understanding the cognitive importance for rehabilitation, hunova is fixed with an interactive screen. Visual biofeedback, gamification and cognitive interaction can be involved depending on the selected task. Whether you are challenging a patient during pelvic control and want to provide biofeedback once the exercise targets have been achieved, or want to ensure the often-laborious task of controlling balance is made fun with rewarding games, hunova provides you with the tools to keep training engaging during the rehabilitation process. 

hunova
hunova

2) Geriatric Rehabilitation

hunova is not only just for neurological pathologies but is the future tool for geriatric rehabilitation. With the abundance of exercises available, balance and responsiveness to perturbation can be assessed and trained in a safe, controlled environment. 

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The Silver Index was developed to allow hunova to efficiently and effectively assess and predict the risk of fall for a patient within the geriatric population [3,4]. During the 15-minute protocol, 8 tasks ranging from various balancing tasks to commonly used sit-to-stand tests are performed. Using the data obtained via the force platform and chair, an automated report for the patient is produced, alongside a detailed scientific report for the therapist to interpret further. 

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Not only does the Silver Index provide a percentage of risk of falling for an elderly patient, but the report also breaks down the various macro areas that the individual needs to work on to become more competent. For example, the patient may need to improve their balance; specifically, their tolerance to perturbations. Understanding this, the artificial intelligence (AI) component of hunova builds a tailored exercise playlist for the patient to pursue during their training to reduce their risk of fall. In practice, when the patient becomes more confident, the AI nature of the system continues to adjust the level of difficulty to ensure an exercise environment where the patient is constantly challenged. 

3) Orthopaedic Rehabilitation

Outside of the neurological and geriatric applications, hunova still has it covered. Likewise of the previous modalities, this innovative system can be applied to vast musculoskeletal and orthopaedic populations due to the uniqueness of having a dual motorised force platform and chair. Different responses such as elastic, visco-elastic and supportive can be used with patients on both the plate and seat elements in order to challenge a patient’s needs for recovery, whether this is to strengthen the knee structure by mimicking hydrotherapy, or to re-learn pelvic awareness following hip surgery. 

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Additional Knee and Performance Indices are available in hunova and follow the same premise as the aforementioned Silver Index; evaluating, reporting, and tailoring exercises specific to that patient. Both validated to provide informed data-rich assessment, the therapy team can now efficiently issue suggested training and rehabilitation using hunova to maximise their treatment pathways. hunova does not stop at the knee, the primary focus of the system during early development was to tackle ankle rehabilitation. Given this, the device can cater exceptionally well for ankle modalities. Often ankle mobilisation and flexibility training are labour intensive for the clinical team and difficult to quantify. However, this barrier is reduced due to the passive mobilisation features and abundance of data recorded during ankle activities on hunova. 

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Following extreme trauma, relearning weightbearing or training first steps using unfamiliar prosthetics can be extremely challenging. It can be difficult for a patient to understand what 50% of their weight is, or how to use the new aid on an incline. This can be supported using hunova’s screen for biofeedback, by asking the patient to stand in a monopodalic stance and place the desired amount of weight through the limb until indicated on the screen.  

Conclusion

To wrap up, hunova is an extremely diverse robotic device within this emerging world of assistive technology. Data-rich workflows, validated evaluations and reports, and AI supported rehabilitation protocols are just a handful of the features placing hunova at the forefront of the industry. In 2024, we look forward to welcoming our first NHS hospitals and research institute on-board to provide the best care available for their patients, as well as using the device in research for balance and strength measurement.

 

To learn more about hunova and how it can benefit your institution, please contact us here to schedule an exploration call with one of our experts. 

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References

[1] Payedimarri, A. B., Ratti, M., Rescinito, R., Vanhaecht, K., & Panella, M. (2022). Effectiveness of platform-based robot-assisted rehabilitation for musculoskeletal or neurologic injuries: a systematic review. Bioengineering, 9(4), 129. 

[2] National clinical guideline for stroke | stroke association (2023) Stroke Association. (Accessed: 17 June 2024). 

[3] Squeri, V., De Luca, A., Cella, A., Vallone, F., Siri, G., Zigoura, E., ... & Alberto, P. (2018). Robotic evaluation of fall risk in older people: Results on trunk parameters in static and dynamic balance conditions by hunova robot. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 61, e339. 

[4] Cella, A., De Luca, A., Squeri, V., Parodi, S., Vallone, F., Giorgeschi, A., ... & Pilotto, A. (2020). Development and validation of a robotic multifactorial fall-risk predictive model: A one-year prospective study in community-dwelling older adults. PLoS One, 15(6), e0234904. 

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