A new standing and balance system that allows people to move, reach and take part in interactive therapy while safely supported on their feet has arrived in the UK.
Resilience Neuro Specialists is the first UK rehabilitation provider to introduce Elvis, the latest neurorehabilitation technology developed by Tyromotion.
Now available at the Resilience Therapy Centre in Warwickshire, Elvis supports people who cannot stand independently into a secure, upright position, giving them the support and confidence to move their pelvis, shift their weight, reach and challenge their balance without fear of falling.
This opens up new opportunities for physiotherapists and occupational therapists to work on the movements involved in standing, balance and everyday activities with people affected by spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions.
Michelle Kudhail, clinical director at Resilience Neuro Specialists, said: “To train the muscles needed for standing, you need to give someone the opportunity to stand.
“Elvis allows us to bring people safely into an upright position, where they can begin activating and strengthening those muscles.
“We can then challenge their balance while knowing the system will support them and prevent a fall. The movement available through the pelvis is particularly important because it allows us to work on the adjustments people make through their ankles, hips and trunk to remain balanced.
“There are so many ways we will be using Elvis with people who have neurological injuries, from standing and weight transfer to trunk control, reaching and upper-body activities.”
What makes Elvis particularly exciting for the Resilience team is its ability to work with other neurotechnology already available at the centre.
Pablo uses sensors to track upper-body movements such as reaching, while Tymo measures how someone transfers their weight through their feet.
When combined with Elvis, people can take part in interactive therapy games while safely supported in standing.
Chris Morden, innovation director at Resilience Neuro Specialists, said: “Elvis has entered the therapy centre! We are incredibly proud to bring this new technology to the UK.
“What makes the difference is how Elvis works with our other neurotechnology.
“Elvis provides the safe standing support, Pablo tracks upper-body movement and Tymo measures weight transfer through the feet.
“Clients can see the effect of their movements immediately through the therapy games and adjust what they are doing in response.
“That active neural feedback loop is what sets this technology apart from conventional standing equipment.”
Sukhraj Dhami, who is recovering from a spinal injury, was the first person to use Elvis at the Resilience Therapy Centre.
Reflecting on the experience, he said: “I enjoyed using Elvis, It’s very different to my standing frame at home.
“This enables me to be a lot more dynamic and give me freedom to move and challenge my balance in a safe supported way. I’m looking forward to using it in future sessions.”
Elvis joins an extensive range of neurotechnology at the Resilience Therapy Centre in Warwickshire, where the team combines specialist clinical expertise with advanced rehabilitation equipment to create personalised programmes for people with complex neurological injuries and conditions.
To find out more about Elvis or discuss whether it could form part of a rehabilitation programme, contact Resilience Neuro Specialists.
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