Innovating Neuro Rehab with Bobo 2.0

We spoke to a UK physiotherapist tackling this issue (and more) using interactive equipment known as Bobo. The Bobo system is a smart software, balance board, and wearable device that makes therapy more fun, measurable, and effective. It enhances patient experience and improves clinical outcomes.

Designed by physiotherapists, it also has massive implications for business growth. It’s like having an assistant to help your business run more smoothly. Here are a few of the ways Bobo is making an impact.

Making therapy enjoyable

Bobo solves the engagement issue by using real-time biofeedback to turn body parts into game controllers. This is especially effective with younger patients, patients who find it difficult to focus, or those facing long-term rehabilitation and struggling with the monotony of exercises. 

Kerry Richardson, neurological physiotherapist and founder of Get Ahead Physiotherapy uses Bobo's game mode to support her work. “I enjoy building up a trusting relationship with our clients with long-term conditions and their families and supporting them in achieving their goals. This can take time and creativity to adapt, we often have to think outside the box.” 

Bobo helps her keep therapy fresh and engaging while making it easier to track patients’ goals. 

She notes, “Children have great fun with the games.” The gamified exercises not only make therapy sessions fun but also increase cognitive engagement—a crucial element in neurological rehabilitation. 

For children with conditions like Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Coordination Disorder, games like balance challenges or motion-based puzzles help improve motor skills in an atmosphere that feels less like a clinic and more like playtime.

Motivating with training mode

Bobo’s strength and flexibility training includes both pre-set programs and customizable workouts with advanced rehabilitation protocols. 

The removable sensor can be attached anywhere to measure the rotation and extension of limbs and joints. As Kerry explains, “The Bobo 2.0 is easily placed on an arm or leg that has limited movement to encourage activity. We have also used it on clients' heads when this is the only active movement for feedback on achievement and motivation.”

You can choose between different types of bio-feedback to motivate patients in different ways. For example, the basic feedback mode provides an on-screen guide with an animation.

For something that totally distracts from the exercise aspect, choose game-based feedback instead. Patients follow an animation to control a vehicle as they try to collect rewards. Kerry says, “We endeavour to make our sessions supportive, motivating, and empowering for our clients.” Gamifying therapy with Bobo enables her to do just that.

Leveraging affordability and accessibility

Bobo isn’t just good for your patients; it’s good for your practice. It’s affordable enough not to strain your budget and light enough to carry between clinic and home visits. This flexibility means you can offer continuous, quality care wherever your patients are most comfortable. 

“Bobo is easy to use in the clinic and home settings.”

For example, Bobo is great when visiting: 

• Client’s homes
• Care homes
• Nurseries
• Schools
• Childcare settings

Weighing in at just 1.7kg, it’s the perfect tool to pop in the car for off-site visits. You can easily carry it to any location and it requires little to no setup. The only extra equipment you need is a balance cushion and your smart device. 

Plus, if you rent out Bobo equipment for patients to take home, it’s easy for them or their caregivers to handle. 

For parents of children recovering from surgeries like SDR, Bobo can be instrumental in their recovery. Becs has an 8-year-old son with cerebral palsy who has undergone SDR surgery. She says, “Bobo is fantastic! Just what we needed to encourage him to do focused and precise exercises without being boring.”

With a price tag of just £26 a month on a rolling, no-commitment monthly contract, there’s nothing to lose but everything to gain by implementing Bobo in your practice. 

Kerry agrees. She uses multiple Bobo systems in her specialist clinic for adults and children of all ages. “I recommend the Bobo products with my top reasons being that they are affordable rehab products that make challenging exercises more fun and motivating.”

Increasing adherence

We all know the drill with home exercises—patients often struggle to stick to them outside of the supervised environment. Bobo changes the game by allowing you to see exactly what your patients are doing at home. No more guesswork.

By offering equipment for rent, you’re also expanding your services and adding a new revenue stream. 

You can see if patients are keeping up with their exercises, monitor their activity and progress, and tweak programs right from your phone. It’s peace of mind for you and a big motivator for them.

Plus, the on-screen guidance helps patients complete the exercises confidently and correctly for maximum benefit. 

Assessment and continuous monitoring

Continuous assessment is critical to provide the most effective therapy. Bobo's advanced sensors provide ongoing monitoring, offering a stream of actionable data that allows you to adapt treatment plans effectively. You can create advanced clinical PDF reports at the click of a button.

This data-driven approach ensures that treatments are always aligned with the patient's current needs, enhancing efficacy.

For instance, Kerry uses the balance board to assess and train balance symmetry and weight-bearing capabilities in patients recovering from strokes. It offers visual feedback that is vital for both therapist and patient to understand and monitor progress.

“The balance board is also useful for the assessment of weight-bearing and balance symmetry with good visual feedback for our clients.”

What about other disciplines?

Bobo has applications in all areas of physiotherapy, such as:  

• Neurological
• Sports 
• Seniors/Elderly 
• Musculoskeletal/Orthopaedic 
• Vestibular 
• Paediatric
• Remote
• Mobile 

Final thoughts

Bobo is more than just a tool; it's a comprehensive system that enhances the way you engage with patients, assess progress, and conduct therapy. By integrating Bobo into your practice, you can not only improve patient outcomes but also enhance operational efficiency and increase revenue through new streams like equipment rental and our affiliate program. 

Find out more

Curious to see how Bobo can fit into your practice? Head over to nivamd.com/streamline-your-business to take a closer look. 

Come visit us! We'll be at The Occupational Therapy Show at the NEC Birmingham this November. Find our stand to say hello and try out the Bobo products for yourself, plus chances to win free equipment.