Local children offered UK-first robotic mobility treatment

Complete Neuro Rehab, which works with families and adults across the West Midlands, has acquired the pioneering LEXO by TyroMotion, a robotic end effector gait trainer, which is one of only seven in operation across the UK and Ireland for the rehabilitation of adults. In a UK industry first, the clinic’s patients will benefit from a version specially adapted which makes it also suitable for children as young as five years old. 

A fitted paediatric kit includes smaller foot plates, additional body support, a smaller set of harnesses, and additional hand holds to reduce its width. Carefully harnessed and supported by the machine, it essentially ‘walks’ the patient - helping to train the muscles required for this movement when a patient is otherwise unable to do so for themselves.

Linsey and David Swinburne co-founded Complete Neuro Rehab in 2008. In 2015 they purchased their first robotic hand rehabilitation device, the Amadeo by Tyromotion becoming one the first neuro rehabilitation centres in the UK to provide physiotherapy rehabilitation with robotic technology. He said:

“The LEXO by TyroMotion is an innovative piece of equipment that enables us to offer industry leading treatment to those with a lower limb impairment. We are incredibly excited to now be able to extend this invaluable treatment to children. 

“Most adults who suffer an injury or mobility problems will have previously experienced the movement of walking at some point in their lives. However, some children that we see in our clinic never have. Without this kind of technology being available to them, they may never experience something that the vast majority of children take for granted. 

“Essentially, this piece of equipment enables us to make the movement for them, showing them what it feels like to walk and teaching them how to do so - strengthening and training their muscles and correcting their gait as they learn, using real-time biofeedback. The machine even comes with an on-screen virtual environment, which makes the process visually encouraging and fun for children. 

“Most patients with a mobility impairment and wheelchair users with a lower limb impairment - with conditions such as  a spinal cord injury, stroke, MS, Motor Neuron Disease, Parkinsons or Cerebral Palsy - are able to benefit from this ground-breaking piece of kit. 

“It’s such an incredible advancement in the treatment these children have previously been unable to access, and will open up endless possibilities for disabled children across the region (and wider UK). We’re incredibly proud to be the first in the UK to take this huge step forward, so that the children we treat can take their first.”