Challenge
Rehabilitation therapy is labor-intensive and costly. It requires almost constant supervision by therapists. Budget constraints limit therapy intensity and duration, meaning patients do not reach their maximal attainable recovery so their wellbeing and participation in society suffer. Current therapy is inadequate, clinics and society as a whole needs to find ways to reduce costs and improve performance.
Opportunity
Symbio Therapy enhances rehabilitation therapy through computer assisted sensor-motor task training, helping patients regain fine motor skills after injury or disease. Hardware, software and services are integrated into an online platform to create and share successful therapies. A TagTrainer is connected to a tablet or computer with access to these exercises. A patient can then perform the
exercises by using real life ‘tagged’ objects. This enables patients to exercise independently from the therapist, even at home. The therapist remains in control by prescribing exercises and monitoring progress remotely. Customized exercises with gaming elements and detailed performance feedback boost patient motivation, increasing therapy intensity and significantly improving end-results at lower costs.
Solution
Adelante Zorggroep, the largest rehabilitation clinic in the Netherlands, concluded after a thorough study that Symbio Therapy is the best current solution. 8 clinics already actively used Symbio Therapy in a clinical setting.
Status
Currently active in the Netherlands. The development research has been done. Now the final version of the hardware of the TagTrainer needs to be developed for production.
Meet the team
Taco van der Feltz
Venture Partner at NLC
Taco joined NLC in 2015 and is a highly international and networked entrepreneur trained as Medical Doctor and Medical Biologist. He is a visionary strategist conversant within and across disciplines. As Venture Partner, Taco focuses on building innovative companies and strengthening NLC’s abilities to bring innovations to healthcare.