Recently retired and in his late 60s, Jack Glancy filled his days with his favorite pastimes – playing golf and do-it-yourself projects, such as replaing the siding on his home. Then, abruptly and dramatically, his life changed.

“I had a stroke,” Jack says. “All of a sudden, the rug was pulled out from under me. I was thoroughly depressed.”

Jack was left with paralysis of his right side and speech difficulties. Two-and-a-half years later, he has recovered to a great extent. He has regained the ability to walk but still struggles with his speech at times.

However, even with therapy, his right arm failed to improve – until recently. A new therapy tool known as the ReoGo™ system has brought him renewed hope.

“The Reo has helped me turn the corner,” Jack says. “You can see the real difference in my arm.”

A robot-assisted rehabilitation system, ReoGo uses repetitive motion to help patients regain strength and range of motion in their upper bodies. Cheryl Talamo, MPT, rehabilitation manager at Doylestown Hospital, explains how it works.

“After a stroke, the brain’s signals do not function correctly,” Ms. Talamo says. “With consistent repetitive movements, the brain can be retrained. The concept is known as cortical reorganization.”

The goal is for the patient to perform 200 to 300 movements per hour assisted by the ReoGo, Ms. Talamo says. As the patient gets stronger, the system can be programmed to do less of the work. Licensed therapists work with the patients at all times, she explains, evaluating the quality of the movement and making adjustments. Treatment is individualized and most, but not all, patients benefit.

“The system is an adjunct to traditional therapy and progress, depending on age and type of stroke,” Ms. Talamo says. “Motivation can make the difference, too. The ReoGo is interactive … patients can challenge themselves.”

Only 55 ReoGo systems are currently in use in the U.S., according to Ms. Talamo. It’s rare that they are purchased by community hospitals such as Doylestown; most are placed at large academic medical centers. Doylestown Hospital is the first hospital in Bucks County to make the investment in the ReoGo system. She notes that the hospital also is using the system for orthopedic rehabilitation, in addition to therapy for stroke patients.

Jack Glancy believes his quality of life has improved thanks to his ReoGo therapy. He can now straighten his arm – what may seem to be a small milestone, but a big deal to him.

“Every little bit helps,” he says. “You’ve got to make it a battle against yourself and keep fighting every day.”