A new piece of machinery designed to assist patients who have suffered a spinal cord or brain injury has been unveiled at the National Rehabilitation Institute in Dún Laoghaire.
The Lokomat Robotic Treadmill is the first of its kind in Ireland and features robotic controls which can manipulate a patient’s legs into a walking motion while supporting their body weight.
The machine cost €250,000 and was purchase thanks to a fund raising venture.
The Rehabilitation Institute says the machine will make a major difference to the patients who will use it.
Most manual assisted treadmill training relies on three to four physical therapists working for five to 15 minute sessions.
The robot assisted treadmill will allow for 40 to 60 minute sessions by one therapist.
The machine will also allow for treadmill rehabilitation to begin earlier after a major trauma because of the support systems within the machine.
The National Rehabilitation Hospital currently has a capacity of 119 beds and caters for patients with brain injury, spinal cord injury, other neurological injury or disease, and amputees.
