Royal Surrey Charity has recently funded innovative ‘BlazePods’ for our stroke and frailty ward, Wisley Ward, transforming rehabilitation into an engaging and effective experience.

BlazePods are wireless, touch-sensitive pods that light up with various colours, and are designed to improve reaction time, agility, coordination, and cognitive function. The tool uses visual cues to stimulate both physical and mental activity, making rehabilitation more engaging, motivating, and effective. By adding an element of fun and competition, they encourage patients to push themselves further, improving speed, balance, and coordination. Research shows that play-based therapy helps the brain adapt and recover, allowing stroke patients to regain movement and independence more quickly. 

Since arriving at Wisley Ward, BlazePods have become a regular part of rehabilitation, and they are used daily in group classes and one-to-one sessions for activities like reaching, weight shifting, and visual tracking. 

“The therapy team and patients are really enjoying the blaze pods on Wisley Ward, and we’ve already seen great successes,” said Erica Morrison, Clinical Specialist Neurology at the Royal Surrey: “They complement the existing therapy techniques, helping to enhance engagement and, ultimately, patient outcomes.”

Emily Porter, Senior Neurological Physiotherapist at Royal Surrey, added:

“The BlazePods have been a fantastic addition to our physiotherapy sessions. Patients find them very engaging; they add a competitive element and motivate patients to complete meaningful therapy sessions. They can be used no matter what a patent's abilities are, and can be set up for people standing, sitting and in bed.”

BlazePods also include an app that can record the number and time of each exercise completed. This allows the staff to track progress and motivate patients.

Len, a patient who has used the BlazePod, told us: “The lights are a brilliant idea – a great contraption! It makes me do more exercise and feels more like a game.”

Another patient, Eileen, shared: 

“I have found physio more challenging and fun with the BlazePods. It makes me do more exercise and is good for the mind.”

Thank you for helping us enhance care for stroke patients at the Royal Surrey.

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