Intensive neurotherapy centre opens in Bristol

A rehabilitation specialist has opened an intensive neurotherapy centre, to help provide clinically significant improvements and functional change for patients over a concentrated treatment programme. 

Based at Eden Office Park in Pill, Bristol, Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre combines personalised hands-on therapy with technology for people with brain and spinal cord injuries, stroke and such conditions as MS and Parkinson’s. 

By using neurotechnology in a targeted way for several hours per day over a period of four to eight weeks, they can potentially deliver a six-fold increase in the intensity of treatment compared to conventional therapy alone, maximising the impact on neuroplasticity.

The £500,000 investment in the centre comes after Hobbs Rehabilitation reviewed the outcome scores for patients who have accessed intensive therapy across the service, which included a 36% average improvement on the Rivermead Mobility Index and aims to achieve an 8-to-11-point increase in the Fugl-Meyer scale.

Bristol is the first Hobbs Rehabilitation Centre with the entire Tyrosolution suite from Tyromotion, including the LEXO robotic gait trainer. It is also the first independent provider in the UK to combine bespoke high-dosage physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy alongside the complete Tyrosolution and other assistive technologies such as the MyoPro.

Hobbs Rehabilitation’s approach helps patients to rebuild their lives from devastating injuries and conditions by focussing on achieving personal goals such as climbing the stairs unaided, driving a car or getting back on the golf course. 

Clinical lead and co-founder Helen Hobbs, who founded the firm with Nicky Ellis in 2005, said: “The exciting development of assistive neurotechnology and robotics has allowed clinicians to significantly increase the number of repetitions achieved during therapy sessions and improve patient outcomes.

“Evidence-based research reports that the level of intensity plays a critical role in successfully maximising the impact of treatment and influencing functional change.

“However, success can only be achieved with expert application tailored to each individual and their desired outcomes alongside conventional therapy.

“Clinical research has shown it takes 400 to 600 repetitions of one movement to try and retrain the brain.

“With therapy alone, a patient may only achieve 30 repetitions in a one-hour session but by combining hands-on treatment with the use of neurotechnology in a targeted way, positive changes can be achieved more effectively.”

Hobbs Rehabilitation has over 70 expert clinicians delivering patient-centred neurorehabilitation services for adults and children across the south and treats around 500 patients at any one time. 

The firm provides private inpatient, outpatient and community neurotherapy services direct to individuals but also takes referrals from a variety of sources including the NHS, private medical insurers, injury lawyers and case managers. 

Its centres remain open during the national lockdown, in line with government advice.