Lexington’s Cardinal Hill Hospital recently became only the second facility in the country to acquire an new robotic system dubbed a G-EO.
Once inside the machine, patients are suspended by a harness and their feet are attached to elliptical-like pods that move their legs back and forth in a highly controlled fashion. The idea is to strengthen the muscles while also training the brain.
"What we know is in recovery we have to create these high repetitions to get neuroplasticity, and that's the brain's change in terms of motor learning. That's what we're seeing with this type of equipment," says physical therapist Leann Kerr.
Leah Flora’s daughter Gabby is now well-acquainted with the G-EO.
"It's really good. It helps me a lot," the 11-year-old says.
Problems in infancy had left Gabby only partially able to walk with help and Leah says her past therapy had much more low tech.
"She did use a couple other treadmill type machines, but nothing like this that gave her so much in so little time," she says.
Now, Gabby can move around on her own without the aid of a walker, thanks in part to the G-EO.
Only one other facility in Philadelphia offers the G-EO System therapy. For video of the machine in action, visit WUKY's Facebook page.