Did you know that 100% of the patients at Benito Menni Center at Valladolid (Spain), who have participated in a pioneering clinical study with robotics, have experienced significant progress in their self-care and mobility, which improves their quality of life and mental health?
Ángel González, Manager and Medical Director of Benito Menni Hospitaller Center at Valladolid, tells us about how a robot designed by the UVa has improved the mobility of the patients at the centre with post- COVID effects and how this advance represents a major scientific step in the recovery and rehabilitation of the patients.
What was the study carried out with the hand exoskeleton in the post- COVID patients?
The study consisted of the effects of a hand exoskeleton called RobHand in patients who suffered COVID-19 and have neuromotor effects in the mobility of their hand, which makes it difficult to carry out daily activities.
The main objective of the RobHand is to accelerate the recovery of these patients.
How was the clinical study of RobHand exoskeleton clinical study conducted?
The clinical study was conducted at the Benito Menni Hospitaller Center in Valladolid, with 13 patients. Each patient had 24 therapy sessions with the RobHand robot, with one-hour sessions per week. Initial and final evaluations were carried out to analyse the progress of the patients.
Mirror therapies were performed, which consisted of using an artificial vision system that replicated the movements of the patient´s healthy hand on the hand affected by the disability, where the rehabilitation robot was placed.
What was the impact of the rehabilitation with the RobHand exoskeleton on the patients?
The research project started in September of 2021, and the first results, which were obtained in March of 2023, proved significant improvements in the patients´hand mobility and in their self-care tasks.
On overage, they achieved a 70% increase in the range of motion of fingers, which improves their quality of life, both physical and psychological.
What conclusions were obtained from the study?
The study concluded that 100% of the patients experienced significant improvements in their mobility and quality of life after rehabilitation with RobHand. This suggests that robotic devices can be useful tools to improve the quality of life of patients with post-covid neuromotor effects.
It also highlights the importance of combining traditional therapies with robotics devices in the rehabilitation process.
Who participated in this pioneering study?
Several institutions, including the University of Valladolid, the Institute of Business Competitiveness (ICE) of the Regional Government of Castilla y León, the company TICCYL DIGITAL S.L. of Salamanca, and the Benito Menni Hospital Centre of Valladolid.
The Sisters Hospitallers have been working with professionalism and hospitality for more than 142 years to help those most in need and offer a comprehensive service to our patients.
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