The InMotion 2.0 Shoulder/Arm Robot, developed by the Interactive Motion Technologies Inc. based in Watertown, Mass., is a robotic device that basically helps patients with motor disabilities like stroke victims and sufferers of multiple sclerosis (MS) regain the functions they previously had through the use of repetitive exercises combined with a visual interface that provides several activities for the patients.
JDT Center CEO Mimi Feliciano said that she heard about the robotic device from her chief administration officer, Toni Loyas, who felt the facility would be ready for the device. It currently is the only known one being used in New Jersey, according to Feliciano, and cost the JDT Center approximately $80,000.
“Interactive Motion Technologies gave a presentation last February, and we fell in love with it from that point on,” Feliciano said.
The patients get harnessed into a shoulder support device with a joystick that operates a cursor on a computer screen.
The onscreen cursor is then used to interact with several games designed to increase both the motor and visual functions of the patients, including a maze game where the patient guides the cursor through a maze, a follow-the-leader-esque dot catcher game where the patient moves the cursor from one portion of a circle to another, and a pseudo-paint program where patients move the cursor through the screen to reveal a work of art.
- While the patients are interacting with the robotic device, it is recording and assisting. For example, the dot catcher activity is used to help patients regain normal arm and shoulder motions instead of what occupational therapist Jodi Berg called “synergistic” movements, or jerky non-fluid movements that the brain does to compensate for the lack of motor skills.
Whenever the device picks up the synergistic movements, it will automatically assist the patient and correct the motion to a more fluid pattern, Berg said. She feels that this type of therapy will be essential in the future to work in conjunction with the human assisted therapy the JDT Center already offers, where it would be more appropriate for a machine to do a repetitive task like 1,000 arm motions in one sitting.
Occupational Therapist Jodi Berg assists Ted Giuttari in using the InMotion 2.0 Shoulder/Arm Robot for physical therapy at the Jerry and Dolores Turco (JDT) Center in Lincoln Park. Giuttari suffered a stroke that left the right-side of his body incapacitated.
In addition, Berg feels that it will help patients become more proactive in their recovery, so they feel like they are making an effort in the process as well.
Roughly five patients are currently taking advantage of the device.
The JDT center plans on adding an accessory that will allow for hand therapy as well as the shoulder therapy.
Feliciano said there could be a possibility of expanding the program and purchasing more devices, but wants to wait until the JDT Center is maxed out on using the first device before considering purchasing another.
Feliciano hopes that the device will show that the JDT Center is “committed to being the best in providing excellent therapy and maximum recovery,” for its patients. The JDT Center plans on holding a formal presentation of the robotic device on May 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has invited various health professionals and health-care doctors and representatives throughout the tri-state area.
