Advances in rehabilitation devices improve quality of life for impaired patients, finds Frost & Sullivan

Robotics, virtual reality, wearables, sensors and wireless technologies enable advanced rehabilitation devices and will transform the market, finds Frost & Sullivan

In today’s increasingly independent and active lifestyle, patients with physical impairment due to age or a strokefeel the need for improved devices capable of helping them lead a quality life. The healthcare industry provides rehabilitation devices with advanced technologies that help patients recover their lost sensory functions and carry out their day-to-day activities freely.

Analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Advances in Rehabilitation Devices, finds innovations in robotics, virtual reality, wearables, sensors and wireless technologies are supporting product and technology advances in the rehabilitation device sector. Technological leaps have improved patient motivation and compliance, as well as data collection and progress monitoring, which is transforming the rehabilitation device market.

“Currently rehabilitation devices are designed to overcome an individual’s specific disability, while the trend is moving towards multi-functional devices and potentially customized designs,” said Technical Insights Research Analyst Debarati Sengupta. “For instance, in the case of stroke patients with both cognitive and speech impairment, a single device to rehabilitate both functions simultaneously will be beneficial.”

Penetration and adoption of technologies in emerging economies are challenged by factors like slow regulatory approval, high cost of next-generation devices and reimbursement hassles.

“Robust clinical evidence from developers and reimbursement coveragefor patients will enable advanced rehabilitation devices to increase the adoption by the physician and patient community, spurring growth in these markets,” noted Sengupta.