This challenging statement marked the start of Revigo Day in Volketswil. Revigo is an innovative rehab centre which offers patients a unique, intensive technology-assisted training programme, thereby increasing their chances of making further progress. On the opening day, health care policy-maker Pascale Bruderer, health professionals and health insurance providers had a far-reaching discussion on the potential of technology-assisted out-patient rehab.

People who have suffered a stroke, cranio-cerebral trauma or paraplegia rarely have the chance to continue an intensive therapy programme after completing their in-patient rehab.  This can be frustrating, particularly for patients who are very motivated and feel that they have a great deal of potential. Often, health insurance covers only a few out-patient therapy units. Technology-assisted treatments are rarely found in out-patient care services since, with the current tariff structure, investment in modern equipment does not pay off.

The Revigo therapy and rehab centre in Volketswil offers an innovative, individual therapy model. Patients can train on robot-assisted medical devices at any time and of their own accord, like in a gym but under the guidance of experts. Up to now, high-tech devices of this kind have only been available for patients in residential rehab in clinics, and their use has been restricted to a certain number of therapy units. In Revigo, people can continue intensive, long-term training; this allows them to exploit their rehab potential to the full and, as a result, to improve their quality of life.

Revigo is the result of a collaboration between Hocoma AG, the rehab clinic Zihlschlacht, VAMED, and the ZHAW Institute of Physiotherapy. Through Revigo, these partners, who represent industry, medicine and science respectively, aim to create new care models in the field of intensive, accessible rehab. The first ‘Revigo Day’ in Volketswil saw the official opening of the Revigo centre, and the courage to innovate was welcomed by all parties. Council of States representative Pascale Bruderer, SWICA management board member Daniel Rochat, president of the patients’ organisation (Patientenstelle) Erika Ziltener, patient Vince Moens and senior consultant Dr. Daniel Zutter discussed why intensive, technology-assisted therapies are very rarely offered in Switzerland.

In his introductory appeal, Gery Colombo, CEO of Hocoma and co-founder of Revigo, drew attention to the lack of follow-up solutions for so-called «untreatable» patients. He added: «Studies show that high training intensity and frequent repetition ensure therapeutic success not only initially but also when pursued in the long term. This high training intensity is exactly what Revigo offers».

Daniel Zutter from the rehab clinic Zihlschlacht confirmed the success of intensive therapy in his address. He called on health care cost bearers to revise the current tariff structures so that people with neurological disorders can use technology-assisted training concepts like Revigo at any time.

Representing the viewpoint of health insurance provider SWICA, Daniel Rochat sees opportunities to develop new tariff structures in pilot phases between innovation and integration in health insurance law. He said that, in these phases, care providers and cost bearers could test new solutions. Health care policy-maker Pascale Bruderer supported this approach, but she also called for political stakeholders to be involved. «Only then can new therapy concepts gain political acceptance and, with the cooperation of the cost bearers, be implemented», said Bruderer.

Patients’ representative Erika Ziltener also called for a solution which would apply to the whole country and, in addition, be valid regardless of the individual insurance policy held by the person affected. Finally, Revigo client Vince Moens said: «I don’t want to have to go to a clinic for my daily therapy, I want to be able to train with people who are in a similar situation to mine, like in a gym. Revigo makes it possible for me to do that».

Vince Moens’ story to video clip (in German)

Revigo concept to video clip (in German)

• Contact
  Dr. Oliver Stoller
  Therapy Director Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht
  Telephone 071 424 37 63
  o.stoller@rehaklinik-zihlschlacht.ch

Revigo – The name stems from the Latin words for ‘again’ and ‘vitality’. And this is exactly what Revigo is all about. The out-patient training centre for individual rehab offers clients ideal conditions to set out on the road towards independence fully motivated and with a clear sense of purpose. Using the very latest technologies, Revigo sets new standards in rehab and prevention.

But Revigo is also a Think-Tank for pioneering research and development projects and for modern training models which are developed, evaluated and integrated in collaboration with leading stakeholders. Together, Hocoma, the Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, VAMED and the ZHAW stand for competence and innovation in the development, integration and assurance of ground-breaking solutions in medical care.