Science
Between movement and memory
How two facilities are opening up new paths for activity, participation and joie de vivre with the THERA-Trainer tigo
Jakob Tiebel
Health Business Consultant
For many residents, cycling is a familiar part of their life story – a feeling of freedom, independence and being on the move. The fact that this feeling can be experienced once again is due to a special combination: the THERA-Trainer tigo movement exerciser and the bike labyrinth with its virtual video routes. This form of training is now part of everyday life at both the care home in the Thomaszentrum in Freiburg and at Haus Siloah in Bad Krozingen.
In Bad Krozingen, Mr Cech, Facility Manager of Haus Siloah, has been involved in the project from the outset. He recalls clearly that some residents initially approached the new therapeutic intervention with caution. He acknowledges that a sense of scepticism was evident. But after the first few introductions, reluctance gave way to curiosity – and ultimately genuine enthusiasm. The tigo is freely accessible there, without registration or appointment. This intuitive design principle has proven highly effective and facilitated daily use of the movement exerciser over several hours.
For some it is a piece of home, for others a memory of holidays – or a place they never managed to visit in the past.
While the legs or arms are moving, a window to the world opens at the same time. The screens show bustling towns, small villages, riverside paths, forests or distant landscapes. Some residents cycle through Freiburg, others choose Lake Titisee, while others head for Las Vegas or Norwegian fjords. For some it is a piece of home, for others a memory of holidays – or a place they never managed to visit in the past.
Both facilities demonstrate movement and memory are mutually reinforcing. Virtual pathways establish novel communication opportunities and bring back memories from earlier phases of life. At Haus Siloah, Mr Cech regularly observes childhood stories being told during or after the trips. The familiar feeling of cycling and the images on the screen trigger memories that have not been expressed for a long time. This creates small, personal moments that are otherwise easily lost in everyday life.
Some residents express their joy directly. One 97-year-old user from Bad Krozingen joked that he felt it was “almost like the Tour de France” and never thought he would ever be able to cycle again at this age. The Thomaszentrum also reports how “the visual field suddenly expands from the wheelchair” – an experience shared by many users when they position themselves in front of the tigo and actively control the movement.
Both facilities demonstrate movement and memory are mutually reinforcing. Virtual pathways establish novel communication opportunities and bring back memories from earlier phases of life. At Haus Siloah, Mr Cech regularly observes childhood stories being told during or after the trips. The familiar feeling of cycling and the images on the screen trigger memories that have not been expressed for a long time. This creates small, personal moments that are otherwise easily lost in everyday life.
Some residents express their joy directly. One 97-year-old user from Bad Krozingen joked that he felt it was “almost like the Tour de France” and never thought he would ever be able to cycle again at this age. The Thomaszentrum also reports how “the visual field suddenly expands from the wheelchair” – an experience shared by many users when they position themselves in front of the tigo and actively control the movement.
“Almost like the Tour de France.”
In addition to the emotional impressions, there is also a physical effect. Relatives and employees notice that regular training improves mobility and makes everyday life easier. And even if a therapy session is cancelled, the time can be bridged sensibly with a ride on the tigo.
The compelling nature of the intervention has not gone unnoticed outside the facilities. The neighbouring clinic in Bad Krozingen is now interested in a similar concept – inspired by the positive experiences at Haus Siloah.
The compelling nature of the intervention has not gone unnoticed outside the facilities. The neighbouring clinic in Bad Krozingen is now interested in a similar concept – inspired by the positive experiences at Haus Siloah.
Relatives and employees notice that regular training improves mobility and makes everyday life easier.
The purchases were made possible thanks to the support of numerous donors. For the residents, however, one thing counts above all: that cycling – whether through Freiburg, Las Vegas or along a fjord – can once again become part of their everyday lives. Between movement and memory, a space is created in which activity, joie de vivre and self-efficacy blossom anew.
Jakob Tiebel
Health Business Consultant
Jakob Tiebel is OT and studied applied psychology with a focus on health economics. He has clinical expertise from his previous therapeutic work in neurorehabilitation. He conducts research and publishes on the theory-practice transfer in neurorehabilitation and is the owner of an agency for digital health marketing.
References:
- Von Freiburg bis Las Vegas: Unsere Bewohner*innen radeln um die Welt – Pflegehaus Thomaszentrum – https://www.pflegehaus-thomaszentrum.de/aktuell/22-07-2025/von-freiburg-bis-las-vegas-unsere-bewohnerinnen-radeln-um-die-welt/
- Altersmedizin in Freiburg: Im Rollstuhl auf virtueller Weltreise – Freiburg – Badische Zeitung – https://www.badische-zeitung.de/altersmedizin-in-freiburg-im-rollstuhl-auf-virtueller-weltreise Image source: Schrader/Stadtmission Freiburg
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