Functional Lab | Gesundheit, Sicherheit und Gesellschaft

Walk better with state-of-the-art technology

The Functional Lab teaches the examination and treatment of neurological diseases. Real patients are also invited to demonstrate and practice therapy on the laboratory equipment. The laboratory equipment is highlighted in many book chapters and specialist articles and is cited as an effective treatment method for neurological patients with gait difficulties.

Purpose of lab

The laboratory is primarily used for teaching purposes, with students receiving introductions to the use of the treadmill with weight support and functional electrical stimulation (FES) (after discussing the relevant literature on evidence-based practice).
People who have difficulty walking due to a central nervous system disorder (e.g., they cannot walk independently or have a reduced walking speed) are occasionally invited to demonstrate therapy with the equipment.
Those affected are also occasionally invited to undergo and record gait therapy with C. González Blum. These recordings are then shared and discussed with the students as part of the neurorehabilitation course.

Facilities & Equipment

Treadmill (Airwalk) with partial body weight support from h/p cosmos. The treadmill offers test and training modes. Vests in different sizes (small, medium, and large) allow use for different body sizes.
BionessL300Go devices (for the right and left leg) for functional electrical stimulation therapy (FES). It is intended for people with neurologically induced foot drop paresis due to a disorder of the central nervous system. A “specialist programming device” (tablet) with Bluetooth functionality is available for adjusting the FES device. Two different types of electrodes allow for the adjustment of medial and lateral stimulation.
EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation from MED-EL, which is used to train the upper extremities/hands in order to stimulate muscle activity. Slight voluntary muscle tension (measured via EMG electrodes) is sufficient to automatically activate the electrical impulse stimulation.