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Maximising NeuroRecovery By Enabling Access To Technology-Assisted Exercise

Funding Neuro-Rehab It’s As Important As Funding Research For A Cure!

Neuro-rehab is complex. While we don’t have all the answers for how to unlock positive neuroplasticity, we need to act on what we do know. Doing nothing is not an option.

Since 2016 we have been collaborating with people living with neurological conditions, clinical health professionals who work in neuro-rehab, researchers, policy-makers and Health Ministers. Even before COVID, accessing exoskeleton augmented exercise therapy had its challenges. In bringing exoskeleton technology to Australia, running clinical trials and now offering exoskeleton therapy in the community, we’ve learnt a lot along the way. We remain a small volunteer run charity with a big vision - to help serve people living with physical disabilities from neurological conditions, through neuro-rehab technology. This is made possible thanks to all our generous donors and in-kind contributors – please consider supporting us. Please read on for how we can help you.

1. Accessing Exoskeleton Therapy Sessions

We have a Rex Bionics exoskeleton in Newcastle, NSW, at Breaking Boundaries, thanks to Pip Cave and her team. Do you want to know if you can access a session for yourself or someone you know? Are you a health professional who would like to refer a patient or client?
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2. Do you offer robotic or technology-assisted exercise programs in Australia?

We would love to hear from you - info@ain-rehab.org.au. We know that each type of technology can offer something different and maybe better suited for different people. We are a collaborative bunch here at AINRehab. If we hear from people in your area or who are interested in using your technology, we are happy to connect them to you. We also know how difficult it can be for people going through neuro-rehab to find the information they need on what services are available. We are building a robotic neuro-rehab technology map of Australia to make this info easily accessible to the Australia public, so please get in touch.

3. What else are we up to?

Collaborating for Impact

We know how important it is to work together in this space to make the best difference we can. From our lessons learnt over 6 years, we can work behind the scenes as strategy consultants, bringing different stakeholders together to innovate and make more technology projects accessible in Australia. Is there neuro-rehabilitation technology you would like to see at your health facility be it in hospital or community- based? Let’s start a conversation info@ain-rehab.org.au.

Knowledge Sharing

Evidence from robust clinical trials is essential to the practice of evidence-based neuro-rehab medicine. Neuro-rehab is a complex intervention, increasingly the importance of real world practise-based evidence is being realised. Our team is working on a case-series. We look forward to sharing this with you all soon.

When we brought the first Australian owed hands-free exoskeleton to Australia, we began with a research collaboration with the University of Newcastle. Outcomes from those clinical trials are now published. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, people wanted to continue exoskeleton therapy at the conclusion of the trial. Outcomes included improvements in fatigue and in the level of independence. For the scientific literature from our published clinical trials see here. (Clinical Trials). Our insights beyond the research trials about using exoskeleton therapy like the Rex Bionics’ technology clinically, coming soon.

Our mission is to raise funds in robotic neuro-rehab projects for every state and territory in Australia.

Please DONATE to bring an UPSTANDING Project to your state/territory.

Did you know?

WHAT IS NEURO-REHABILITATION?

Neuro-rehabilitation is what happens next, after you have been diagnosed with a neurological condition and suffered damage to your brain or spinal cord, from injury or illness. It involves a healthcare team working together on an individualised program to maximise your functional abilities, health and quality of life.

WHAT IS NEUROPLASTICITY?

Neuroplasticity is the brain and spine’s capacity to adapt and recover after being damaged by an injury or illness. Scientific evidence has shown that exercise interventions after brain and spinal damage has occurred, can lead to NeuroRecovery. To promote positive neuroplasticity, high intensity, repetitive, task-oriented training in a stimulating environment, is needed.

WHAT IS NEURORECOVERY?

NeuroRecovery is the regaining of lost function and abilities which were impaired or lost e.g. learning to use your hand again, learning to stand and take steps again. It does not end when you leave hospital. The AIN recognises that NeuroRecovery is a life-long journey.

REHABILITATION A HUMAN RIGHT

The right to rehabilitation i.e. therapy to support recovery post injury/illness, is a human right protected under the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by the Australian Government.

BEST PRACTICE STANDARDS – HOW AUSTRALIA COMPARES

Australian in-patients (public) receive 25% or less of recommended daily dosages of therapy i.e. 37mins/day instead of 3hours/day. There are currently no Australian standards. In the USA, in-patients must receive a minimum of 3hours/day for at least 5 days a week.

REHABILITATION AND ECONOMIC PRODUCTIVTY

If just 10% of carers (who are family members of the person with the disability) were able to return to the workforce, there would be a $3 billion boost into the economy. If just 2% of people with a disability could come off the pension to work, then there would be an injection of $2.5 billion into the economy. Carer support packages and return to work initiatives are only part of the solution, boosting investment in rehabilitation is integral to the solution.

“After 198 sessions, the 61 year old female had a decrease of expected lifetime expenses between $148,237 and $197,208 due to the gained function” following intense walking therapy. Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network Study

THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME (NDIS) AND REHABILITATION

The NDIS does not fund rehabilitation programs. AIN is committed to advocacy work, to improve Australians’ access to funding sources for ongoing access to Neuro-rehabilitation programs in the community.

“Rehabilitation increases independence and reduces the need for continued care, such that the cost of rehabilitation may be offset by savings in on-going care in the community” Professor Turner-Stokes, Chair of Rehabilitation Kings College London

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