CUSAT Start-up Launches Gait Training Device

KOCHI:
REWA, An advanced gait training device was launched at CUSAT by Vice- Chancellor Dr. K.N. Madhusoodanan in a programme organised in connection with world Autism awareness day.

Dr. Sam Thomas, Director, CITTIC, and Dr. Baby Chakrapani, Director, Center for Neurosciences were also present.  REWA is an advanced gait training device developed by ChoiceMed healthcare solutions (p) Ltd,  a startup promoted by Suraj Simon Varghese and Rubin Ray incubated in CITTIC, CUSAT in association with centre for Neuroscience, CUSAT, and Alfa pediatric rehabilitation centre.

Most rehabilitation centers depend on gym treadmills for gait training in conditions like cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, post-stroke, spinal cord injury, etc. These training methodologies do not fulfill the necessary objective and the patients are not comfortable with these gym treadmills which delays the recovery rate. In REWA, the walking surface moves in coordination with the patient’s steps, facilitating the adjustment of stride length to the patient’s comfort level.

Full-length handrail support helps patients to walk with more confidence as it avoids the fear of falling. The patients with the said problems lose their internal rhythm and face difficulty in achieving gait rhythm. REWA provides audio signals to assist gait rhythm. With these facilities, patients feel more comfortable during the gait training and they can do the training with more intensity. Also, the walking surface coordinated movement pushes the training to the active side which enhances motor learning by neuroplasticity and helps in fast recovery, said Suraj Simon Varghese and Rubin Ray. 
    
REWA machines can be widely used in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and homes and is available in both pediatric and adult variants. It is also available in rental schemes for home usage. For more details contact Suraj Simon Varghese Ph: 8086291674.