Pioneering scheme in North East offers hope to stroke victims

Stoke victims in the North East are using robots to help regain use of their arms.

Specialists at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University are taking part in a programme to use pioneering rehabilitation robots to help stroke sufferers.

The person who has had a stroke sits at a table facing a computer screen and places their arm onto the robotic device. The therapist then asks the patient to undertake some arm exercises such as moving between targets on the computer screen.

If the person is unable to move their arm, then the robot moves the patients limb for them.

If the patient starts to move, the robot provides adjustable levels of assistance to help out, all of which helps the brain and arm to learn to work together again.

Tom Means, from Walkerville, Newcastle, is already taking part in a stroke robot clinical trial at North Tyneside General Hospital.

The self-employed electrician had a stroke in March and spent around two months in hospital. Now back at home, he continues to receive physiotherapy twice a week.

After only a few sessions into the 12-week programme, he is already seeing improvements in his arm and shoulder.

Tom, 61, said: When youve had a stroke, every bit of exercise and movement you can do is a big help. Using the robot alongside my other exercises is ideal for me and whats great about the robot is that it also helps my hand-eye co-ordination.

Ive only had a few sessions so far, however Ive really felt the difference in my arm as Ive got a lot more movement and much more strength. Im under no illusions that its going to be a lot of hard work but its all worthwhile because I know its going to make me better.

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Pioneering scheme in North East offers hope to stroke victims