AR in Neurological Rehabilitation: Strolll’s Success Story

Written by Lynna Truong, PharmD 2027

October 7, 2024

AR in Neurological Rehabilitation: Strolll’s Success Story

In 2018, Tom Finn was caring for his father, Nigel, who was struggling with Parkinson’s-like symptoms caused by vascular dementia. After going to a physiotherapy appointment with his father and seeing how colored lines on the floor were used in the process, Finn was inspired and worked with co-founder Rupert Barksfiend to create Strolll, an innovative tool for patients with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions using augmented reality.¹

Strolll’s AR glasses blend a patient’s real physical space with digital content made to simulate strategies used during in-person physiotherapy sessions.¹ For example, its gait training module uses visual and audio cues to help people with Parkinson’s disease switch from using their “autopilot” movement control to a more goal-oriented movement that is usually unaffected by the disease.¹ ² Additionally, Strolll’s neuro-rehabilitation exercise module offers games made to improve functional mobility, which keep patients motivated and help them enjoy the process more.¹

By offering home-based rehabilitation and personalized care, Strolll enables patients with neurological conditions a more comfortable, enjoyable, and effective way to receive treatment. Also, healthcare professionals are still able to review patient data remotely and adapt exercises without the patient coming in for a visit. Finn states that these advantages enable providers to provide “seven-times more rehabilitation with two-thirds less staff time.”¹ Meanwhile, a clinical feasibility trial consisting of 24 participants supported that Strolll’s device was safe for home use and did in fact motivate patients to engage in the treatment. As for effectiveness, the trial found Strolll’s Reality DTx® to be potentially efficacious in improving targeted fall-risk indicators.³ Therefore, although still at the beginning stages of collecting clinical data, Strolll’s treatment seems promising thus far in helping patients with neurological conditions.

Strolll has made significant progress since 2018, having received a $200,000 grant from Magic Leap's Independent Creator Program, $4 million in equity funding, and about $6 million in grants. In the US, Strolll has recently entered a $3 million collaboration with Cleveland Clinic. The company has a goal to become the most-used rehabilitation software globally and hopes to achieve seven million minutes of rehab per week by the end of 2029.¹ By merging AR with healthcare, Strolll is one exciting example of how digital health is being used in more innovative ways every day to improve lives.

References:

1. Healthcare Digital. Strolll's AR glasses rehabilitate neurological conditions. Healthcare Digital. Published September 26, 2023. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://healthcare-digital.com/digital-healthcare/strollls-ar-glasses-rehabilitate-neurological-conditions

2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Parkinson's Disease. National Institutes of Health. Updated April 28, 2023. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/parkinsons-disease

3. Hardeman LES, Geerse DJ, Hoogendoorn EM, Nonnekes J, Roerdink M. Remotely prescribed, monitored, and tailored home-based gait-and-balance exergaming using augmented reality glasses: a clinical feasibility study in people with Parkinson's disease. Front Neurol. 2024;15:1373740. Published 2024 May 30. doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1373740