Neuro-rehab specialist Neural Pathways has secured a trial of the pioneering ExoMotus M4 device – one of only two in Europe.
The centre, in Gateshead, has an exclusive trial of the lower limb robotic device, which supports the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries and lower limb impairments.
The ExoMotus M4 – created by Fourier Intelligence – enables patients, who are otherwise unable to walk, to perform routine functions like standing, walking on level and walking on mildly sloped surfaces.
Neural Pathways, part of Active Care Group. has become one of the first sites in Europe to trial this cutting-edge technology, which is part of rehab robotics pioneer Fourier’s growing portfolio of robots aimed at maximising outcomes for patients.
The robot, distributed in the UK by Thor Assistive Technologies, was launched into the Chinese market in 2021, and has been used as an integral part of patient rehabilitation following injury since then.
For spinal cord injury survivor Tony Makepeace, his recovery has been transformed by the introduction of the ExoMotus M4 into his neuro-rehab.
Tony sustained a catalogue of cervical spinal cord injuries as a result of a motorcross accident in February 2022, which left him paralysed from the neck down and unable to breathe unaided.
In October, he started physiotherapy sessions at Neural Pathways using assistive technology to aid his recovery.
“I’m on cloud nine, I never thought I would experience the feeling of walking again,” he said.
“Just when I had lost all hope this happened! I felt like I had been exercising. Thirty minutes of walking in the device and my legs feel like they used to after riding my motorcross bike for 20 minutes.”
Another client, an amputee, similarly endorsed the positive effect of the robot, saying: “I felt like had been exercising like on a bike but much better. I loved being upright. I had no back pain when the machine and I can’t wait to try it again.”
