Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital uses the latest technology to provide improved patient outcomes. Our state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment works to ensure the highest levels of safety for our patients and treatment teams.
Ceiling Lift Systems
Ceiling lifts are utilized in both therapy gyms and in a number of patient rooms. These lift systems are used to protect both the patient and the hospital staff in the movement, handling and treatment of patients unable to support their own body weight.
Gait Training Un-Weighing System
The gait training un-weighing system is used either on land or in combination with a treadmill for partial-weight-bearing therapy. Partial-weight-bearing gait training provides assurance of comfort and safety which allows patients to concentrate on learning to walk again. It also allows the therapist to focus on facilitating and correcting the mechanics of the walking cycle without having to support the patient's weight.
Mercy's gait training un-weighing system is equipped with a dynamic suspension system that allows for vertical displacement of the patient’s center of gravity and functional pelvic rotation promoting normal walking mechanics during partial-weight-bearing therapy. This allows the patient to learn to walk with proper gait mechanics before being able to support their full body weight.
Balance System Technology
Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital uses balance system technology that provides the patient and therapist with real time biofeedback. This prompts the patient into proper postural and balance control during treatment sessions, allowing for specific targeting to improve proprioception (awareness of where your body is in space), stabilization and weight shifting.
Varied Surface Gait Training
Our outdoor gait training courtyard is available for patients to practice walking on multiple surfaces (concrete, gravel, grass, stairs, inclines, declines, etc.). This provides our treatment team opportunities to simulate environments that closely resemble the challenges the patient will face after returning home.
VitalStim® Therapy for Treatment of Dysphagia (Swallowing Dysfunction)
The VitalStim® therapy system unites the power of electrical stimulation with the benefits of swallowing exercises. Combining VitalStim and traditional therapy allows Mercy therapists to accelerate strengthening while restoring function. Research has shown that combining these therapies results in better outcomes than using either one alone.
Low-Stimulation Gym
Patients who have experienced a stroke or brain injury often become overwhelmed in noisy, bright or busy environments. Over-stimulation can negatively affect the patient’s ability to complete their exercises, which slows recovery. Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital offers a separate low-stimulation therapy gym which provides an optimal healing experience for our patients.
Ekso™
The Ekso exoskeletal unit assists patients with early ambulation following a stroke or spinal cord injury. Ekso is a robotic exoskeleton that fits most patients and allows them to stand and ambulate early in the rehab process, which is key to their long-term prognosis. Clinical evidence indicates that gait training in the Ekso improves patients’ balance, walking distance and gait speed.
SaeboMAS
The SaeboMAS is a zero-gravity, upper-extremity device that challenges the weakened muscles during functional tasks, such as eating or combing hair. This device is used with patients with neurological and orthopedic conditions that result in shoulder weakness. The adjustable spring-based tension system offers variable and measurable levels of assistance as the patient’s strength improves and makes it easy to track and document progress. It can be used to increase strength, range of motion and motor control, while encouraging neuroplasticity by providing opportunities for highly repetitive tasks.
Lifeglov
Lifeglov is powered by air and accompanied by a digital therapy platform to assist patients with hand and arm impairments. While wearing the glove, patients engage in high-dose, repetitive task practice through interactive, game-based exercises. This approach is designed to promote neuroplasticity and restore movement. Acting as both a passive and active device, Lifeglov can either facilitate movement independently or provide assistance to complete specific motions, maximizing each patient’s recovery potential.
InMotion ARM® Robot
The InMotion ARM Robot is often used by patients who suffer from weakness in their upper extremities after a stroke. The ARM Robot helps patients utilize their strength to complete hundreds of repetitions in a fraction of the time of traditional exercise. Repetition is one of the most important factors when considering neuroplasticity and the brain’s ability to repair and relearn movements following a stroke. This evidence-based neurorehabilitation technology quietly monitors the patient’s movements during therapy while it gently assists them in completing various motor therapy activities. Additionally, the device can provide biofeedback regarding motor movement and motor control and is equipped with resistance options for more advanced strengthening capabilities.
