Each year, numerous breakthroughs in medical research are heralded, often accompanied by great enthusiasm. Nevertheless, the practical application of these developments in clinical settings typically does not keep pace with such advancements. This is largely because healthcare professionals—including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists—tend to adhere to familiar practices that align with their training. They often favor established and proven treatment methods, showing reluctance to stray from conventional approaches.
An illustrative case is that of Dr. Christian Kunz from Austria, who created a vaccine for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a disease that can be deadly. Almost two decades elapsed from the time the vaccine received regulatory approval until it was widely adopted as a normal treatment option. During this period, Kunz actively traveled throughout Austria, administering the vaccine to farmers and forest workers, successfully reducing instances of infection and death.
Currently, many healthcare providers express reluctance toward utilizing electroencephalogram (EEG) technology and its associated brain-computer interface (BCI) systems due to their recent emergence. Dr. Christoph Guger, a pioneer in BCI technology and the Co-Founder and CEO of g.tec medical engineering GmbH, notes that EEGs were previously cumbersome, often requiring a neurologist for interpretation. However, recent advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning have alleviated the need for constant neurologist oversight, simplifying the integration of EEG and BCI into healthcare practices.
EEG and BCI are notably applied in the recoveriX program, developed by g.tec medical engineering. This treatment method has demonstrated effectiveness in assisting patients recovering from strokes and multiple sclerosis. Currently accessible in over a dozen countries worldwide, it requires patients to don an EEG headset that captures their brain activity while they engage with a computer monitor, which guides them through movement exercises. Electrodes connected to their limbs provide stimuli to the muscles, enabling joint dorsiflexion.
Data from g.tec indicates that individuals undergoing multiple sessions of recoveriX have shown superior performance on the nine-hole peg test, a tool for evaluating manual dexterity and monitoring progress in stroke or MS patients. Additionally, these individuals exhibited improved attention, physical abilities, cognitive function, memory retention, reduced fatigue, and better bladder control—factors that contribute to an enhanced quality of life.
Despite these encouraging outcomes, Guger points out several obstacles to the widespread adoption of recoveriX. Many rehabilitation facilities already offer an extensive array of therapies, complicating the integration of recoveriX into their existing services.
With the rise of the internet and social media, patients are becoming increasingly informed and demand greater agency over their health and recovery journeys. In a bid to raise awareness about recoveriX, g.tec has released videos showcasing patients’ before and after treatment, highlighting significant improvements in their health.
According to Guger, patients interested in recoveriX should communicate with their healthcare providers or rehabilitation centers to advocate for the inclusion of this treatment. He emphasizes that recoveriX doesn’t necessitate large space requirements, extensive training, or a significant workforce, as it allows up to four patients to receive treatment simultaneously under the supervision of a single therapist. Moreover, the training for therapists to implement recoveriX is brief, often spanning just a few days, facilitating quick deployment.
Currently, not all national health insurance providers cover recoveriX. Nonetheless, Guger mentions that many patients choose to pay for it privately because they believe in its efficacy, with some even traveling to Austria from abroad for recoveriX treatments. He notes that, despite the universal healthcare model in Europe, numerous patients end up paying out of pocket for medications and treatments not covered by their insurance plans, as health authorities often lag behind in adopting new medical developments.
“BCI technology holds great promise for enhancing the health of individuals with neurological disorders, including stroke and multiple sclerosis,” Guger explains. “While technological advancements are occurring rapidly, healthcare professionals and insurance entities sometimes struggle to keep up. Today’s patients are increasingly empowered to educate themselves about their medical issues and can inquire with their doctors about offering treatments like recoveriX, which has been shown to be both safe and effective.”
As part of its commitment to advancing BCI technology, g.tec organized a 10-day spring school on brain-computer interface and neurotechnology from April 22 to May 1, 2024. This educational program provided 140 hours of instruction covering various aspects of BCI and neurotechnology, with a dedicated session focusing on recoveriX and its clinical applications, along with patient responses to the therapy.
