Innovative Robotic Devices Transforming Rehabilitation at Queen Mary’s Wolfson Unit
07 February 2024
The Charity is delighted to have funded cutting-edge robotic devices for use in the Wolfson Unit at Queen Mary’s Hospital.
A grant totalling £80,132.91 was used to fund two Tyromotion robotic devices, which have helped revolutionise upper limb rehabilitation at Queen Mary’s.
Queen Mary’s is among the few NHS hospitals equipped with these state-of-the-art tools, which are used for rehabilitation for individuals with various disabilities, including stroke and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
The first, named AMADEO after the renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, focuses on finger movements. Particularly beneficial for individuals with weak fingers, the AMADEO facilitates both initial movement initiation and repetitive exercises for those on the path to recovery.
AMADEO
Mozart was an influential Austrian composer of the Classical era, known for his prodigious talent. He produced over 800 pieces of work and is noted as an influence in Ludwig van Beethoven’s work.
The second robot, DIEGO, named after football legend Maradona's famous "Hand of God" goal, targets shoulder and trunk rehabilitation. By efficiently deweighting the arm during movement, DIEGO assists individuals who struggle to lift the typical 3 to 5-kilogram weight of their arms. This unique feature allows for increased freedom of movement, enabling patients to achieve a range of motions and repetitions crucial for rehabilitation.
DIEGO
Diego Maradona was a controversial Argentinian footballer, he notably played for Argentinian giants Boca Juniors, and Catalan giants Barcelona before joining Napoli, where he guided the Neapolitans to their first league titles as well as success in Europe.
He is most well known for his performance at the 1986 Mexico World Cup where he scored his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the quarter-final.
The game also saw Maradona score what is argued as the greatest goal ever scored as Argentina knocked England out en route to their first World Cup title.
Crucially, both robots incorporate game-like elements to motivate patients. The interactive setup encourages users to surpass their physical limitations, aligning with the latest stroke rehabilitation guidelines advocating for up to three hours of daily physical therapy. The incorporation of games, along with a vibrating function in the AMADEO, enhances engagement and effectiveness in the rehabilitation process.
The therapists at the Wolfson Unit emphasise the importance of intensity in rehabilitation, and these robotic devices contribute significantly by offering a variety of activities, including painting and kitchen tasks. Patients, previously limited in their ability to feed themselves, can now practice essential movements to regain strength.
Will Chegwin, said: “What we find is where people sometimes in sort of more standard rehab, they get bored, find really hard focus on how difficult it is.
"When you've got a game that's motivating you, then you can just keep going and going and going. And we find people here are getting hundreds of reps rather than say 20, 30 or 40 of which get in other.”
A noteworthy feature of this rehabilitation initiative is the use of virtual reality headsets. These headsets not only immerse patients in interactive games but also address concentration and attention challenges during rehabilitation.
The technology aims to supplement existing rehabilitation methods, providing an additional layer of intensity and motivation to propel patients towards improved arm functionality.
The Charity was able to fund DIEGO and AMADEO thanks to legacy donations, find out how you can leave a legacy gift to St George’s Hospital Charity here.
