Professor Stefan Hesse, one of the pioneers of gait rehabilitation, once coined the phrase: "If you want to learn to walk again, you have to walk!". The insight from this quote is that exercise is essential for rehabilitation after an accident, stroke or other damage to the nervous system. With the THERA-Trainer lyra, this can now be achieved with significantly greater intensity and frequency, explains Dr. Martin Schorl, Head of Neurology at the Waldburg-Zeil Clinic in Bad Wurzach, and continues: "This therapy can prevent one in seven patients from having to use a wheelchair. This has been scientifically proven."
Together with botulinum toxin therapy, the rehabilitation clinic now has a unique selling point beyond the region. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that is injected into muscles affected by spasticity to relieve cramps.
"With this combination, we can guarantee the best possible treatment for severely affected patients in phase C with spastic hemiplegia," emphasizes Schorl. Around 800 to 1,000 steps per day are required for the brain to reprogram the sequence of movements when walking, explains the specialist.
Relief for patients and therapists
Physiotherapist Johannes Schuschkewitz also confirms that the new therapy device is a significant relief for internal processes. "Previously, two or three therapists were needed to manage just a few steps for particularly severely affected patients. With the "lyra", 2,000 to 3,000 steps can be completed in the same time in future. This is a real game changer when it comes to relearning to walk," says the 36-year-old, adding: "The ground-level entrance means that a wheelchair can be driven straight in. The individually adjustable weight relief helps with walking. The movements are guided by foot pedals to train the natural gait pattern."
