Rehab tech business THERA-Trainer is expanding its portfolio with a training device for cognitive-motor training.
The senso has been created to bring new options for people with cognitive-motor impairments.
Following research and prototype development, the senso has now been launched backed by scientific evidence and technical expertise.
Conventional therapeutic approaches mainly focus on strengthening the musculoskeletal system and either partially or completely ignore the integration of cognitive functions in controlling movement.
However, the latest research results show that, in addition to having strong muscles, muscle control also plays an essential role in fall prevention.
How important cognitive training is in relation to fall prevention can be illustrated using the example of dementia patients. This patient group has a significantly increased risk of falling, which is almost exclusively due to the impairment of cognitive functions.
Peter Kopf, CEO of THERA-Trainer, explains: “Imagine you are standing at a busy crossroads. You’re holding a bag full of shopping. There’s a crowd of people next to you. It’s loud, it’s hot and you’re exhausted. Due to your age, your vision and hearing are limited.
“Crossing the street safely would require your undivided attention on your gait. It is precisely in these situations that more falls occur, since you are flooded with external stimuli and you can no longer concentrate on the essentials (crossing the road safely).
“This is where the THERA-Trainer senso comes into play, as it specifically combines and trains the combination of movement and simultaneous cognitive stimuli.”
The key to the proven high training efficiency of the THERA-Trainer senso lies in the combination of thinking and movement tasks.
The unique combination simulates the multi-tasking requirements of everyday life in a playful way.
This particularly benefits groups of people who have limitations in cognitive functions, the musculoskeletal system or their interaction due to the aging process, illnesses or accidents.
Current research has shown a significant reduction in the risk of falling in patients with cognitive or motor impairments after training with the THERA-Trainer senso, an improvement in cognitive functions, as well as a strengthening of the musculoskeletal system.
Due to its unique design, stepping exercises can also be practiced and the flat access means it can also be used with a wheelchair. The highly accurate sensors in the THERA-Trainer senso also allow clinical balance tests to be carried out.
Sabine Lamprecht, neuro-physiotherapist, said: “With the THERA-Trainer senso, I was even able to motivate patients who actually couldn’t be motivated.”
