CALGARY - Today Motion Health Inc. commenced sale of SmartStep(TM), a new technology for Canadian physicians and rehabilitation professionals in acute care settings, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics. The SmartStep(TM) lower limb rehabilitation system is an easy-to-use and affordable solution for lower limb feedback training, evaluation and monitoring. Utilizing a unique force-sensing insole, the SmartStep(TM) continuously monitors and analyzes key gait parameters offering health care professionals with a much needed quantitative tool for clinical assessment of gait recovery.

Current methods for gait rehabilitation rely primarily on verbal instructions such as "tolerated weight bearing". Interpretation of such instructions is often subjective and varies among clinicians and patients. "SmartStep(TM) is a powerful rehabilitation modality that is programmable by the health care professional to fit the patient's specific rehabilitation needs, enabling and motivating the patient to train confidently in the clinic, at home or outdoors", said Mr. Reynald Bonmati, President and CEO of Andante Medical Devices, Inc., makers of the SmartStep(TM) technology.

As baby boomers age, more Canadians are being treated for hip, knee or foot surgery or neurological impairments affecting the lower limbs. "These patients require rehabilitation aimed at restoring their ability to walk safely and independently, and typically programs involve a relearning of control of gait. SmartStep(TM) used in daily therapeutic exercise can improve weight bearing, increase treatment compliance, and facilitate improvement in quality of gait for these patients", said Judy Pedersen, President of Motion Health. "SmartStep(TM) is appropriate for patients recovering from neurological, orthopedic, and other disorders affecting the lower limb including stroke, lower extremity fractures, joint replacement, and soft tissue injuries."

Since 1999, clinical studies have been carried out in Israel and Europe with results presented in European PM&R conferences and publication in a leading medical journal. In addition, Smart Step(TM) is licensed as a Class I Medical Device by Health Canada and is reimbursable by existing CPT codes. "To accommodate busy schedules and inform the health care professional community on how SmartStep(TM) is helping patients achieve faster rehabilitation, independence, and improved quality of life, on-line web demonstrations are offered", says Pedersen.