Hamburg, March 26 – The newly inaugurated Ambulant Neurological Therapy Centre (NTZ) at the Asklepios Klinik St. Georg in Hamburg is pioneering a new approach to stroke rehabilitation, utilising state-of-the-art robotic technology. This innovative facility, which opened its doors just weeks ago, has already begun treating 150 patients, offering a crucial bridge between hospital discharge and long-term care for individuals recovering from strokes or managing conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease.
A Gap in Post-Stroke Care Addressed
Approximately 50,000 people in Hamburg alone suffer from the aftermath of a stroke. Among them is the renowned lyricist and writer Ulla Hahn, who, alongside her husband, former Mayor Klaus von Dohnanyi, attended the centre’s opening. Hahn, 80, shared her personal struggle, recounting how her brain often ‘played tricks’ on her after her stroke, leaving her disoriented. She expressed profound gratitude to the therapists, stating, “Until one of you eventually took my hand and pulled me back into the hospital.”
Matthias Diener, a physiotherapist with a background in sports therapy and former work for the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), leads the centre. He highlights the unique nature of the facility: “The idea is to offer follow-up care that is currently unparalleled nationwide.” The initiative stemmed from the therapists themselves, who posed the critical question: “What happens when patients are discharged from the hospital? What help do they receive then?” The NTZ aims to fill the significant gap between inpatient rehabilitation and long-term care for stroke patients.
Interdisciplinary Approach and Individualised Therapy
The centre’s approach is highly interdisciplinary, focusing entirely on the patient. “The patient comes to us for a few hours, and they are completely at the centre of attention. Colleagues from various professions, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or speech therapists, are organised around them,” explains Diener.
Currently, eight therapists are employed at the neurological centre, with plans to expand the team to 25 within the next two years. The centre also aims to treat children and adolescents in the future. At present, 150 adult patients are undergoing therapy following strokes or for conditions like MS and Parkinson’s.
“A patient typically visits us three times a week for two hours each time,” Diener notes, emphasising that the therapy is “highly individual.” He adds, “Some suffer from partial paralysis as a result of a stroke, others can no longer move their arm and shoulder, while other patients struggle with cognitive deficits or visual field restrictions.”
2.8 Million Euro Investment in Cutting-Edge Rehabilitation Labs
A substantial investment of approximately 2.8 million Euros has been made in the equipment, which is distributed across four specialised “Reha-Labs”:
- Walk-Lab: For robot-assisted gait therapy, enabling patients to practice their first steps.
- Arm-Lab: Dedicated to restoring motor function in the arms and hands.
- Cogni-Lab: Focuses on cognitive therapy to address mental deficits.
- Functional Lab: Designed for functional strength and endurance training.
Diener explains the utility of these labs: “In the Walk-Lab, a special robot is used to practice first steps. In the Arm-Lab, the focus is on restoring arm motor skills.” He confirms that the services are accessible to everyone and are covered by health insurance. “We also consider the relatives who would otherwise have to drive the affected person from one therapist to another – with us, everything is under one roof.”
High Demand and Positive Outcomes
The demand for the new facility is immense, and the services are being exceptionally well-received. “We have a waiting list, but we can manage it well at the moment. It’s not like a patient has to wait for months,” says Matthias Diener. He finds it highly motivating to witness the patients’ progress. “When a stroke patient can walk again, it is highly emotional – for the family, but also for us therapists.”
This new centre marks a significant step forward in neurological rehabilitation in Hamburg, offering hope and advanced therapeutic options to those in need.
Source: https://www.abendblatt.de/ratgeber-wissen/article411531198/schlaganfall-wo-hamburger-patienten-mit-dem-roboter-das-gehen-wieder-erlernen.html
