Suit to Help People with Motor Skill Disorders
Ahmed ShaabanAJMAN — Patients with cerebral palsy and motor skill disorders can now start a new chapter of life after a rehabilitation centre here introduced a suit helpful in treating posture and movement impairments.
Originally designed to prevent muscle atrophy and bone demineralisation in Soviet cosmonauts during gravity-free periods of space travel, the suit has been used in manned space flights since 1971. Having proved successful, the suit was later developed by Adeli Company in Moscow. Muza Al Nuaimi, acting director of the Ajman Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled, said the centre has contacted the company that developed the product, known as Adeli Suit, to organise training workshops for parents and physiotherapists here.
“The training, to be held in collaboration with the Ministries of Social Affairs and Health, is aimed to enlighten people about the importance and use of the suit.”
The Adeli Suit consists of a vest, shorts, kneepads and specially adapted shoes with hooks and elastic cords that help the body to move as in space.
“Therapists use the Adeli Suit to hold the body in proper physical alignment,” Al Nuaimi said. During specialised exercises, the therapists adjust the elastic connectors that topographically mirror flexor and extensor muscles, trunk rotators and the lower limbs.
“A patient wearing the Adeli Suit goes through various exercises including “how to walk”.”
Research studies confirm that patients exhibit improved brain-to-muscle communication through increased blood flow to the brain and central artery. Hearing the news of the suit being introduced in the UAE, a mother said she wished it would achieve the required goals. “We have tried many methods of treatment for my son, but in vain. Hopefully, the Adeli Suit will be a success,” she said.
Another mother expressed her anxiety about the results, saying “the suit is still new, and we still lack the qualified staff required”.
Trauma specialist Dr Shadi Duwaik, who also represents the New Solution Medical Company, said the suit “acts as a second set of muscles for people too weak to stand or perform normal movements”,
Amira Khaled, a physiotherapist at the Ajman rehabilitation centre, said the ready-made suit is available in different sizes for all ages, starting from two-and-a-half years.
“The suit, available against Dh7,500, is not only limited to young kids. It proves very helpful with old patients suffering from acute strokes.”
Though no side effects have been reported, an initial evaluation of the patient is essential before ordering the suit, which is brought from Russia. “Patients need to first have their spine and pelvis X-rayed. They should prove free from all joint disorders, as well as epilepsy, heart and lung problems, and consistent malformations,” Khaled told Khaleej Times.
“Surgery in cases like hip disorders is a must before subjecting the case to final evaluation, whereby an application is submitted.”
Khaled said the centre has started training on three suits gifted by Adeli Company. “Those are for three children aged between five and eight.”
Patients go through treatment sessions for two intensive hours everyday, including 15 minutes to one hour while dressing the suit.
Khaled noted that the initiative, seeking no financial benefits, is basically dedicated to patients lacking due services. “A new medical unit is soon to be launched for the benefit of those patients.”