Research & development at To Walk Again
INTeRAcT study: groundbreaking research for post-rehabilitation for patients with paralysis
Anyone paralyzed by a stroke or paraplegia (an interruption of the spinal cord) starts rehabilitation in a healthcare facility as soon as possible. But to date, rehabilitation is time-limited. After rehabilitation, the patient stays behind and is assigned to himself.
Since 2017, these patients can go to To Walk Again’s Revalution Center in Herentals for continued rehabilitation, which today we call post-rehabilitation. Through high-tech equipment, people with paralysis can continue to move there after their rehabilitation.
The goal of To Walk Again is to maximize opportunities for patients with severe paralysis to live a full life by continuing to exercise, increase their independence and develop physically and mentally. New technologies create many opportunities to do this that we must not deprive these people of.
BUT no reimbursement exists for post-rehabilitation until today.
With the INTeRAcT study , we aim to scientifically demonstrate the impact of post-rehabilitation on the lives of rehabilitation patients.
INTeRAcT study
More specifically, our aim with this landmark study is to examine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of intensive rehabilitation in patients in the chronic phase after stroke or paraplegia. The rehabilitation program is based on the patient’s goals and needs and includes the use of advanced technology and a self-management program.
AZ Herentals receives support from the RIZIV to demonstrate the long-term effects of high-tech rehabilitation in patients with paralysis through a study. AZ Herentals is conducting this study on the initiative of To Walk Again in collaboration with KU Leuven. During a period of 3 years (2023-2026), 100 patients with paralysis will be followed up during a post-rehabilitation program. If the results are favorable, reimbursement of such treatment by the NIHDI is a possibility in the future.
Hope for reimbursement from NIHDI
From the dream of being able to walk again, To Walk Again was the first to introduce the Ekso walking robot in our country in 2016. A new twist that underlies the creation of the Revaluation Center in Herentals in September 2017, with the support of the Flemish and European governments. In this post-rehabilitation center, the focus is on lifelong exercise and rehabilitation combined with high-technology.
The corona crisis in 2021 had a major impact on the operation of To Walk Again. To continue to guarantee a financially low-cost camp offering, TWA entered into a strong partnership with Sporta. The pertinent pursuit of government recognition for post-rehabilitation culminated in mid-July 2023 in the launch of a major study in collaboration with RIZIV, KUL and AZ Herentals.
Combination of therapy and technology
The combination of therapy and height technology is an important aspect. High technology provides exercise at a high intensity, which would allow more progress. In addition to technology, (regular) therapy is required to make the switch from progress in movement to improvement in functionality.
KU Leuven will conduct the comprehensive study at AZ-Herentals’ To Walk Again post-rehabilitation center. The primary objective of the study is to allow the patient to make significant and clinical progress after intensive rehabilitation. By combining rehabilitation with high-tech therapy, we can give the patient tools to deal with problems in daily life on their own. The secondary objective includes evaluating long-term retention, as well as a health economic analysis.
Concrete elaboration
At the start of the study, participants are randomly divided into 2 different groups . The intervention group starts with 3 weeks of intensive therapy (30h/week) and is then followed up further until 9 months after the start. The control group continues their standard therapy for 9 months. After the end of the study, they are also given the opportunity to follow this 3-week intensive rehabilitation.
If you would like to apply or know someone in your area, feel free to send an email to info@towalkagain.be.