Resilience Neuro Specialists is the first rehabilitation provider in the UK to offer Elvis, Tyromotion’s new standing and balance therapy system. It is already being incorporated into rehabilitation sessions with clients, including people living with spinal cord injuries.
Turning supported standing into active therapy
Standing can be an important part of neurological rehabilitation, but some people cannot reach or maintain an upright position safely without significant support.
Elvis helps a person move from their wheelchair into a carefully controlled standing position. Its integrated lift, adjustable knee supports and electric controls allow the clinical team to position each person according to their individual needs.
Once the person is upright, Elvis provides enough support to help them feel secure while still allowing controlled movement. Rather than remaining still in a conventional standing frame, they can practise shifting their weight, moving their pelvis, reaching and responding to changes in their balance.
This gives our physiotherapists and occupational therapists more opportunities to turn time spent standing into active, goal-focused rehabilitation.
Why movement through the pelvis matters
Maintaining balance involves a continuous series of small movements and postural adjustments.
When we move forwards or backwards, the muscles around our ankles help us stay upright. Moving from side to side requires control through the hips and pelvis. The trunk must also remain stable as the body changes position.
Elvis allows our clinical team to work on these different elements while the person remains safely supported. This can include:
- Activating and strengthening muscles used in standing
- Improving trunk control
- Practising weight transfer
- Working on movement through the hips and pelvis
- Developing postural reactions
- Completing reaching and upper-body activities
- Building confidence in an upright position
The level of support and challenge can be adjusted for each client, depending on their abilities, rehabilitation goals and stage of recovery.
Three technologies working together
One of the most exciting features of Elvis is its ability to connect with other neuro technology already used at the Resilience Therapy Centre in Warwickshire.
Pablo uses wearable sensors to track movements, including reaching and upper-body activity. Tymo measures changes in pressure and weight transfer through the feet. When used together, Elvis provides safe standing support, Pablo records movement and Tymo detects how the person shifts their weight. These movements can control interactive therapy games displayed on a screen.
The client can see the effect of a movement immediately and alter what they are doing in response. This creates an active feedback loop between the person’s movement and the activity on screen, while giving the therapist measurable information to support treatment.
It also makes standing practice more varied and engaging. A session can combine balance, movement, concentration and upper-limb activity within one supported standing exercise.
Who could benefit from Elvis?
Elvis has been designed for people who have difficulty standing independently or maintaining a safe standing position. At Resilience, its use will always be based on an individual clinical assessment.
It may form part of rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries and a range of other neurological injuries and conditions affecting their strength, balance, posture or mobility.
For some clients, the initial goal may be to experience a safe and well-supported upright position. For others, sessions may progress to active weight shifting, reaching, balance challenges or interactive exercises using Pablo and Tymo.
Part of our growing neurotechnology service
Elvis is the latest addition to the specialist neurotechnology available at the Resilience Therapy Centre in Warwickshire.
Our clinical team combines technology with hands-on physiotherapy, occupational therapy and personalised rehabilitation. Equipment is selected because it can support a client’s individual goals, provide new opportunities for practice and complement the expertise of their treating clinicians.
To find out more about Elvis or discuss whether supported standing and balance therapy could form part of your rehabilitation programme, please contact the Resilience Neuro Specialists team.
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