Rehabilitation engineering innovations
Published: 3 December 2013
Improving the quality of life for patients with spinal cord injuries
Our Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering (CRE) has developed strategies and products that have influenced clinical practice in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) worldwide. The CRE refined the concept of using Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for cycling and abdominal stimulation and defined its benefits to patients by establishing the nature of the medical benefits of the technology.
Working with clinical partners in the Southern General Hospital and Hasomed GmbH, the CRE co-developed FES products that are now used routinely in clinical rehabilitation. Hasomed sell ~500 units p.a. across the world, for use at home, in fitness centres and in SCI clinics to maintain health and wellbeing, thereby reducing patient morbidity and increasing their life expectancy.
Neuro-feedback, utilising a Brain Computer Interface for the treatment of pain associated with SCI, has also been developed into a clinical reality and a limited clinical trial has now shown its efficacy.
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First published: 3 December 2013