MOTOmed: motor-driven movement therapy as unique as the needs of users

Exercise and movement are important components of rehabilitation. It’s best to try to start moving as quickly as possible after a stroke for example. In the case of chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), movement can have a positive impact and help ease some of the symptoms. RECK-Technik GmbH & Co. KG has made it its mission to help people with limited mobility to improve their activity level. At REHACARE, we took a closer look at the products of the medical device company from the Upper Swabia region in Germany.

The MOTOmed movement therapy device is suitable for a wide range of applications. Whether it’s MS, Parkinson's disease or after a stroke, the arm and leg training components are used in complement to physical, occupational and sports therapy treatments. "Our devices are designed for people with mobility restrictions or those who need exercise and are unable to use conventional means," says Thorsten Banzhaf. This includes, but is not limited to wheelchair users and older adults.

The company offers devices to facilitate movement while users lie down in bed in a supine position. An accessible version supports wheelchair users in their training. Whether you are physically fit or limited in your range of motion, MOTOmed can be adapted to fit anyone. Since these are motor-driven therapy devices, users can choose whether they want to embark on passive, assisted - meaning motor-supported – or active movements. Owing to the fact that the patient’s health and fitness level results in different needs and requirements, devices by RECK-Technik can be customized to meet these special demands. The products feature "digital intelligence, making it possible to convert the device into another device at a later date or to improve it to adapt to the user’s unique needs. You can transform the leg trainer into an arm/upper body trainer. Or I can turn the device into a special model for patients with Parkinson’s disease, allowing motor-assisted rotations up to 90 revolutions per minute, which are especially beneficial exercises for this condition," Banzhaf explains. What’s more, users can configure their own customized MOTOmed therapy device on the company’s website. Most products also come with a so-called Hilfsmittelnummer, an assistive technology code that prompts German health insurance companies to pay for the device as a health benefit.

Apart from the versatility of the MOTOmed trainers and the wide range of applications pertaining to various mobility restrictions, the company’s devices also feature a sophisticated design. The MOTOmed loop and MOTOmed layson models won the German Design Award 2019 in the Special Mention category. The award honored the devices’ digital intelligence and intuitive usability. Banzhaf underscores that this is very important to the team from Upper Swabia: "The design centers on the user and as such our products must capture the user’s needs, requiring devices to emphasize simple and intuitive use. The award acknowledged our ongoing efforts in this area. Needless to say, users sometimes also position our devices in their own homes, which is another reason why they shouldn’t be instantly recognizable as a therapy device."

Whether it’s at a clinical facility or at home, whether it’s meant to be used for arm or leg training or both, whether it’s motor-driven or not, MOTOmed offers a solution for everything. The devices are user-friendly and intelligent. RECK-Technik is a pioneer when it comes to movement therapy.