The James A. Haley VA's Robotics and Advanced Technology Center in Tampa is revolutionizing patient care for veterans by harnessing state-of-the-art technology and groundbreaking rehabilitation advancements.
The center unveiled its mission to enhance the lives of veterans by creating and utilizing cutting-edge rehabilitation technologies, signaling a significant step forward in improving healthcare outcomes and quality of life for those who have served, according to a July 11 news release.
“I tell those who think it’s a lot to do for a simple stroll to try and not use their legs for a day or two, to sit in a chair and have to look up at people every day, to have a conversation or in some cases to be completely ignored,” John Holgan, a U.S. Navy veteran in VA Affairs, said in the release. “I tell them to engage in mental games of navigation and negotiation for every move you make. Then come tell me you don’t feel it’s worth the effort for a simple stroll.”
The center's first clinic program — the Exoskeleton-Assisted Ambulation Program — was launched in April 2022, the release reported. It makes use of six different types of robotic exoskeletons to help with gait rehabilitation and restoration. The clinic provides care for veterans who have had strokes, spinal cord injuries or other neurological conditions that make it difficult for them to walk.
“The center was created out of an underutilization of robotic exoskeletons and the need for trained therapists who specialize in this technology to be able to implement a successful program,” Dr. Cassandra Hogan, physical therapist and exoskeleton specialist, said in the release.
With the aim of broadening the implementation of robotic exoskeleton technology in rehabilitation, the center strives to provide qualified veterans with increased accessibility to these devices for home use, enabling them to achieve greater independence in walking, according to the release. In conjunction with other therapeutic interventions, patients have the opportunity to utilize these devices within the rehabilitation clinic, enhancing their ability to walk autonomously.
Furthermore, the center serves as an orthotic prescription clinic, facilitating the provision of equipment to veterans who require assistance in walking independently, both within their homes and in the community, the release said.
Among the beneficiaries of this advanced technology is Holgan, a Navy veteran who attests to the profound positive impact the exoskeleton and the dedicated team of providers have had on his mental and physical well-being, according to the release.
“Right now, limitations in the technology only allow the use of exoskeletons for a relatively small number of patients, but the more we use these devices and get them into the hands of veterans and clinicians, the faster we can move the technology forward and make it available to more veterans," Dr. Kathryn Fitzgerald, physical therapist and exoskeleton specialist, said in the release.
