Individually planned treatment for MS and Parkinson’s disease

Romatem Health Group, which works with robotic rehabilitation devices, virtual reality therapy and digital health tools, opened a rehabilitation unit three years ago designed for patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and cognitive impairment. The unit also treats patients with brain damage after haemorrhage, blocked vessels, stroke or traffic accidents.

Treatment for MS patients with gait and balance problems aims to slow the progression of the disease; for Parkinson’s patients the unit works to lengthen the walking stride. A five-person team of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, neurologists and physiotherapists follows each patient’s recovery. For patients with brain injury, technology-supported visual exercises aim to improve visual memory.

Patients who arrive in a wheelchair go home on their own

Neurologist Dr. Nermin Çalışır said patients who arrive at the specially designed unit in a wheelchair return home after their sessions in their own cars or by public transport. “We created a working space where MS, Parkinson’s and cognitive patients can overcome the difficulties they face in life, together with us. We also have a plan for every condition that disturbs walking and balance. MS patients often cannot feel their feet, and we work on stride length. We have exercises for sitting, standing, turning and sudden movements so that they can be done without falling.”

Patients from abroad

“In Parkinson’s disease, rehabilitation is the third step of treatment. Not only medication and deep brain stimulation surgery, but physical therapy and rehabilitation make a large contribution to patients’ lives. They try to move by shuffling their feet along the floor; because the foot does not lift, walking is very hard and the risk of falling rises. Here we have them do the same movements in different ways and contribute to their walking and balance. Patients from abroad also come to our unit,” Dr. Çalışır said.

Treatment continues at home with software support

“First we aim for walking and movement, then we work on speech, comprehension and memory. We run all the tests first: is the problem attention, comprehension, memory or planning? Once that is identified we prepare an individual plan of half an hour a day. We also have software support, because after treatment starts here it continues at home as homework, on a tablet or computer.”