Robotic Hand Rehabilitation at PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse

The robot for restoring the hand (Robotic Hand Rehabilitation) is a technology of rehabilitation medicine designed to help those who have the problem of a weak hand from diseases of the nervous system, such as cerebrovascular disease (Stroke), Parkinson's, paralysis of half the body, or those who have lost the movement of the hand after an injury or surgery. This technology helps the patient train movement systematically, accurately, and safely, under the care of a team of rehabilitation medicine physicians and of multiple professions. The distinguishing point of PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse is the combining of advanced technology with planning specific to the individual, with the physician assessing and directing the treatment closely, at the Gaysorn Tower building, floor 11, in the heart of Bangkok, convenient to travel to, near BTS Chidlom

What is the robot for restoring the hand

The robot for restoring the hand is equipment that helps the patient train the movement of the hand and the fingers in varied forms, such as closing the hand, spreading the fingers, or picking up and holding an object, with the machine helping to add force or control the movement so that it goes as set. The main purpose is stimulating the working of the brain and the nerves (neuroplasticity), so that the patient can restore the ability to use the hand in daily life, such as picking up a glass of water, writing, or using a spoon and fork

Why training with the robot for restoring the hand at PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse should be chosen

• Rehabilitation medicine physicians and occupational therapists direct every step, from the assessment and the planning through to following the result
• The robot for restoring the hand at PYONG Rehabilitation is a model of robot for restoring the hand that has as many as three modes, Passive, Active-assisted, and Active mode (compared with other models of robot for restoring the hand, which usually have only one mode), suiting patients at every stage of restoration, from helping the hand move passively through to exerting force by oneself actively
• The robot for restoring the hand at PYONG Rehabilitation is a model of robot for restoring the hand that combines the technique of Mirror Therapy, using the reflected image of the other hand in order to stimulate the brain and increase neuroplasticity, with a system of interactive hand-training games, which has hand-training games for the patient to play during the training, making the patient have motivation and cooperate in training continuously, and it can also give Feedback in real time, having a sensor that detects the movement of the hand, which the physiotherapist can use to adjust the programme according to the result of the training immediately
• The robot for restoring the hand at PYONG Rehabilitation is a robot for restoring the hand that supports the training of each individual finger and the postures of closing the hand and picking things up, helping restore the skills of the hand that are necessary for the daily routine effectively, compared with other methods of training the hand
• Comprehensive technology, combining the robot with other treatments, such as tDCS, TMS, PMS, and Exoskeleton
• A team of multiple professions, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech correction specialists
• A convenient location in the heart of the city, at the Gaysorn Tower building, floor 11, easy to travel to by BTS Chidlom
• Care specific to the individual: the programme is adjusted according to the goals and the real capability of each patient

How the robot for restoring the hand works

The mechanism of the working of the robot for restoring the hand uses a sensor to detect the movement and the force that the patient tries to exert, then adjusts the helping force or the resisting force suitably according to the level of capability of each individual. The general steps of receiving the service are:

1. The assessment by a rehabilitation medicine physician – a physical examination, an assessment of the capability of the hand, and the setting of the programme of training
2. The setting of the machine – adjusting the helping force and the form of the training according to the ability
3. The training of repeated movement – such as closing the hand, spreading the fingers, and picking up and holding objects, with the result followed in real time
4. The following and the adjusting of the programme – the medical team and the occupational therapist change the form of the training according to the progress

During it, the patient feels as if there is a force helping to support the hand so that it moves more freely, without feeling pain

The symptoms / states that suit the robot for restoring the hand

• Restoring movement after cerebrovascular disease (Stroke Rehabilitation)
• Paralysis of half the body from an injury of the brain or the spinal cord
• A weak hand from Parkinson's disease
• A state of spasticity (Spasticity) making the hand stay closed
• An injury of the nerves around the arm or the hand
• After surgery of the hand or the arm
• Older people who have the problem of weak muscles of the hand
• A state of nerve degeneration that makes the use of the hand deficient
• Problems of picking up and holding things in daily life
• Wanting to restore the use of the hand for work or for the routine

The academic evidence concerning the robot for restoring the hand

There is a large amount of research that has studied the effectiveness of using the robot for restoring the hand, finding that training with a robot helps increase the recovery of the brain and the nerves, through stimulating the brain to create new nerve pathways (neuroplasticity). Research from the Stroke Rehabilitation Journal states that patients who received restoration with a hand robot have a tendency to restore the working of the hand better than physiotherapy alone. Another study in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation found that repeated training with a robot helps increase the accuracy of movement, and helps strengthen the motivation of the patient

How often should training with the robot for restoring the hand be done

Generally it is recommended to do it 2–4 times a week, depending on the severity and the goal of the patient. For some cases, such as patients newly after a stroke, they may receive training more frequently than this, in order to hasten the process of restoration. However, the suitable frequency depends on the assessment of the physician and of the team of restoration in each individual

The result expected

• The short term (the first 1–2 weeks): the patient may feel that the movement of the hand is freer, with a reduced state of spasticity, and may begin to use the hand to help in small routines
• The long term (4–6 weeks and beyond): progress may be seen in picking up and holding things, in the coordination of the hand with the eye, and in coming back to using the hand in daily activities, such as eating, dressing, or writing

The prohibitions and the matters to beware of in doing the procedure

Although the robot for restoring the hand is considered safe and without pain, there are matters to beware of, such as

• Those who have a heart pacemaker or electronic equipment implanted in the body
• Those who have an acute state of infection or a high fever
• Those who have high blood pressure that still cannot be controlled
• Those who have an open wound at the area of the arm or the hand

Before beginning every time, there is the taking of a history and a physical examination by a rehabilitation medicine physician, for safety

The cost

Doing the robot for restoring the hand has a cost of about 4,000–6,000 baht per session, depending on the package, and it is usually included in an intensive programme of restoration (Intensive Rehabilitation Program). In this, every patient must receive an assessment by a rehabilitation medicine physician first, in order to set the approach and the number of sessions that is suitable

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many sessions of the robot for restoring the hand must be done before a result is seen?

A: Generally a change may be seen within 4–6 weeks, but it depends on the capability and the training of each individual

Q2: Does it hurt during the robot for restoring the hand?

A: It does not hurt; the patient feels as if there is a force helping in the movement

Q3: Who should not use the robot for restoring the hand?

A: Those who have a heart pacemaker, high blood pressure that still cannot be controlled, or an acute infection

Q4: Does the robot for restoring the hand suit older people or not?

A: It suits them, particularly older people who have a state of weakness or a risk of losing the ability to use the hand

Q5: Must it be done together with other treatment or not?

A: It is recommended to do it alongside other restoration, such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, or stimulation of the brain, for a comprehensive result

Choosing a place of treatment for pain and for diseases of the brain from a clinic cared for by a team of specialist physicians with expertise, such as PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic and PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse, helps the patient receive care effectively and safely, with modern technology, so that the patient has the opportunity to recover and come back to a better quality of life quickly