HAL stands for Hybrid Assistive Limb and the system is a neuronal-controlled cyborg, which is used for the treatment of patients with cerebral vascular disease, spinal cord injuries,progressive intractable neuromuscular disease, and other brain-neuromuscular diseases. The neuronal-controlled HAL robot suit is used for neuromuscular feedback therapy. The command to execute a movement is transmitted from the brain through the spinal cord to the patient’s muscle which results in the muscle being tensioned to execute the movement. With patients suffering from neurogenic gait disorders this signal chain is partially impaired so that an independent initiation of movement is only possible to a limited degree. However, the residual neuromuscular impulses of the patient are picked up by sensors and transmitted to the HAL system. The system detects the impulses and provides the patient with the required power assistance in order to execute the desired movement

The aim of the HAL therapy is to increasingly activate muscle impulses and with this to enable interactive neuronal feedback loop. The therapeutic successes are a result of this feedback effect. Within the course of the training the ability to walk is improved as regular repetition helps patients to regain their motion patterns.

For many patients it will be possible to walk with a rollator, on crutches or even without crutches. The neuromuscular feedback therapy leads to a significant gain in muscular strength. Other effects which can be more or less pronounced include: Reduction of neuropathic pains, improved bladder and bowl functions, positive improved spasticity symptoms, larger areas with skin sensation resulting in a lower decubitus risk. Patients continuing to actively use their regained mobility in everyday life will retain the progress they have made by the end of the neuromuscular feedback therapy.

Neuromuscular feedback therapy in paraplegic patients requires weak neurological residual impulses in the muscles that can be picked up on surface of skin via electrodes sensor. As a paralysed patient, please contact us or ask your attending physician or physical therapist if you still have a residual activity in the muscles relevant for the hip and knee joints.

Your medical records then need to be forwarded to the facility providing HAL therapy services, where an initial medical evaluation will take place.

HAL must be used at medical facilities while under the supervision of trained medical professionals.If you have special needs to use HAL at home, please contact us directly..

The time it takes for effects to show may vary among patients. Most patients begin to see improvements after a handful of sessions while continuously showing benefits over the course of a few months.

In Germany, people who are insured under the Statutory Worker Compensatation insurance (Berufsgenossenschaften) is covered by the insurance as well as the private insurace, the Nürnberger insurance. If you are insured under these insurances, please contanct your insurance for cost coverage.

Other facilities may provide the HAL treatment program out-of-pocket. Please talk with your healthcare provider and your insurance company.

If your healthcare provider does not know about HAL, please introduce this website and put us in contact with them. The Cyberdyne team will be happy to assist you with introducing this technology to them.