How modern technologies complement the therapy offerings in a Neubrandenburg practice and offer clients greater self-efficacy and quality of life

Manuela Panter set up a modern occu­pa­tio­nal therapy practice in the city of Neubrandenburg. After many years of expe­rience as an occu­pa­tional therapist, teacher and founder of several practices in the region, she decided to consolidate her work at one location and link it to a new vision. Her objective: continuous care for clients – from outpatient therapy to nursing care. A unique selling point of her practice is the use of modern rehabilitation technologies. These help her clients to improve balance and core stability, thereby reducing falls and training cognitive-motor skills.

In conversation with Manuela and her collea­gue Wiebke Penkuhn, who joined the team as a young occupational therapist after comple­ting her training a year ago, we take a look at the work of the practice, the challenges of daily life and the opportunities that innovative technologies offer for therapy.

Redaktion:Manuela, Wiebke, could you tell us a bit about your practice?

Manuela Panter: As an independent occu­pational therapy practice, we care for clients in a therapeutic centre that includes both day care and full inpatient care. We primarily care for geriatric clients, many of whom have dementia, cerebral apoplexy or other neurological symptoms. However, we also treat other clients with specific needs who come to us for treatment from outside the facility. What makes us unique is the support we provide during the transition from home care to outpatient therapy, right through to day care and full inpatient care. Our clients benefit from a holistic approach, which specifically includes training in mobility and practical skills for everyday situations. We place a strong emphasis on modern technology-supported therapy methods and innovative approaches to sustainably improve our clients’ quality of life, while also strengthening the evidence base for our work.

Wiebke Penkun:I’d be happy to talk about our team. After completing my training as an occupational therapist, I started working in Manuela’s practice. Work here is relaxed and the team is innovative, motivated and keen to share its knowledge and expertise. The integrative work with clients in the day care facility allows us to provide holistic care while also offering plenty of opportunities to apply modern occupational therapy approaches.

Redaktion: How did the integration of the practice into the day care facility come about?

Manuela Panter: A crucial moment was when the managing director of ProPersona Care approached me to see whether we could create something together. It was a perfect fit, because he had a similar vision to me. The facility here in Neubrandenburg was still under construction at the time, and I had the opportunity to help in the design of the therapy rooms. That was a fortunate coincidence and an important foundation that allowed us to establish ourselves and grow in this way.

Wiebke Penkun: I wasn’t personally involved in setting up the practice, so can only talk about it from today’s perspective. I’m familiar with other facilities from my training and through colleagues. I’m certainly lucky and feel privi­leged to work in such a modern practice that offers so many possibilities and such a varied environment.

Redaktion:You place particular emphasis on modern therapeutic equipment such as the balance trainer and the THERA-Trainer senso to promote mobility and fall prevention among your clients. How do you specifically use these technologies in your practice?

Manuela Panter: We have been working with these devices for about two years now. We started with a trial phase in which we initially tried out all the technical and practical aspects. At first I was sceptical whether clients would cope with these technologies, but their positive feedback and willingness to engage quickly convinced us. Today, these devices are an integral part of our work.

We primarily use the THERA-Trainer balo to mobilise less mobile clients into a standing position and to train their postural control. It also enables us to create practice scenarios in a standing position that mimic everyday activities. We are expanding this range with the THERA-Trainer senso, which offers cognitive-motor training to promote dual-task abilities that strengthen not only motor skills but also executive functions. This is a particularly effective intervention for our clients to minimise the risk of falls – particularly in situations where multiple environmental stimuli challenge their balance and spatial movement.

Wiebke Penkun: : I think it’s great that we get to work with such modern equipment in our practice. That was another aspect that excited me about the position. The many possibilities and innovative approach enrich my work great­ly. With clients, I’ve noticed that building trust and providing a gentle introduction helps them to quickly overcome any initial concerns. For me personally, using these technologies has expanded the range of treatment options I can offer.

Redaktion:How do clients respond to the equipment?

Manuela Panter: Initially, there is some hesi­tation, but this usually doesn’t last long. With a bit of trust and curiosity, the clients generally respond very well to the equipment. Their initial successes – both physical and emotional – usually motivate them to keep going. It’s often the case that many of them enjoy it because it boosts motivation. And that motivation is such an important resource in therapy – for both compliance and empowerment.

Wiebke Penkun: I regularly see clients who can stand and walk with much more confidence after therapy on the balance trainer. One client, for example, was able to train in a standing position again after a long time. This was an incre­dible moment for him – and for us too. Overall, the experiences have been overwhelmingly positive.

Manuela Panter:I still vividly remember one client in a wheelchair. She was able to stand on her own again after training on the balance trainer. That was such an emotional moment for her, because her mobility and body awareness had noticeably improved. Her initial scepticism gave way to a renewed confidence, and she regained a degree of independence – a success that moved us all deeply. It’s a lovely feeling to see someone who is initially sceptical make such progress.

Redaktion: What challenges do you expe­rience with clients who, for example, are living with dementia?

Manuela Panter: The integrated biofeedback features offer sophisticated cognitive and motor training options, which is what makes the equipment so valuable. What really surprised me was how positively people with dementia respond to it. I would even go so far as to say that dementia isn’t necessarily a reason to
exclude someone from using these technolo­gies – quite the opposite. When used in a thera­peutically practical and appropriate way, this equipment offers significant benefits for this group, allowing them to enjoy their training exercises and rediscover their abilities. Many dementia patients experience a feeling of self-efficacy, something they often miss in their daily lives when many things no longer work as they used to. Device-based therapy and interactive biofeedback create a judgement-free environment that is free from emotional baggage and often leads to a noticeable boost in motivation.

Wiebke Penkun: I’ll admit I was initially a bit sceptical about whether some clients would be able to cope with the technology. But as soon as they realise that they can manage the exercises and that the technology provides practical support – while even motivating them in a fun way – they really start to enjoy it. The progress they make can be truly impressive.

Redaktion: How viable is the concept in commercial terms and what is your vision for the future?

Manuela Panter: The practice is funded exclu­sively through billing for occupational therapy prescriptions. Investments in modern therapy equipment must, of course, be properly thought through, but in the long run, they pay off for us. Introducing modern therapeutic methods increases the demand for our services and brings us recognition as a specialist practice for occupa­tional therapy – both regionally and within the professional community.

My vision is that we continue to professionalise and specialise both as a practice and as repre­sentatives of our profession. Modern, evidence-based therapeutic methods are crucial in this regard. We aim not only to set therapeutic stan­dards, but also to sustainably improve Inter­disciplinary collaboration in geriatric rehabilitation and care. Our practice is increa­singly developing into an open space for clients to connect and a source of inspiration for healthcare professionals.

Wiebke Penkun: Working in this practice offers me the unique opportunity to actively contri­bute to a modern and innovative concept. It goes far beyond what I learned during my occupational therapy training and in interactions with colleagues. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of time and support from manufacturers during training to explore these areas. The concept we practise here provides me with hands-on opportunities that I had previously only known in theory, so it is broadening my professional horizons.

Being part of a team that not only thinks about innovation, but lives it daily, is a great feeling!

Redaktion: Did you decide immediately after the trial phase to permanently deploy the equipment?

Manuela Panter: Yes, that was a clear-cut decision. The measurable progress and the positive feedback from our clients convinced us. At the same time, we noticed as a team that the equipment significantly expands our range of therapeutic options. The included assessments, various tasks and clear exercises provide a helpful framework – something that can guide us through the transparent presen­tation of results in the therapy process, supporting evidence-based therapeutic action.

It opens up new approaches, particularly in complex cases. In addition, we are experiencing an increasing demand for therapy, which moti­vates us to continuously think about how we can meet this growing demand in the future.

Wiebke Penkun: The equipment also takes some of the burden off us. For example, with the help of the standing frame, we can work safely and effectively in a standing position even with severely affected clients. Without technological support, this would involve considerably more physical effort and strain – both for the clients and for us as therapists.

Redaktion: The demand for occupational therapy and the care of older people in day care is growing. What do you think are the reasons for this?

Manuela Panter:Demographic developments are certainly a determining factor. The number of older people dependent on care and support is continuously rising, particularly in cases of degenerative diseases such as dementia.

At the same time, many residential care faci­lities are reaching their capacity limits, which is why alternatives such as day care are increasingly in demand. In addition, there is a growing awareness that specialised care and modern therapeutic approaches have an enormous impact on the quality of life.

Wiebke Penkun: I have noticed that many relatives view day care as a genuine relief, as they often can’t manage the care at home on their own. At the same time, they place great importance on ensuring that their relatives receive high-quality, personalised care. The holistic view of the individual in occupational therapy, as well as the collaboration with family members, is invaluable.

What particularly impresses me is how impactful the work with clients is here, particularly those with dementia. While I learned a lot about this during my training, it’s only in practice that the urgency and importance of this work in everyday life become truly tangible. .

Redaktion: How do you plan to meet the increa­sing demand for your services while ensuring high-quality care?

Manuela Panter: We are, of course, focusing on expanding our capacities, but we place great importance on the targeted continuing profes­sional development of our specialist team. Quality is our highest priority, which is why we also work closely with other care providers to develop our concept and integrate new approaches.

Wiebke Penkun: I really value the high quality standards here. Continuous development and the opportunity to learn something new motivate me and help me to successfully meet the growing demands.

Redaktion:To what extent is the use of modern therapeutic equipment taught during training?

Wiebke Penkuhn:Modern technologies currently play only a minor role in occupational therapy training and, unfortunately, are not yet standard. There is a lack of time within the curriculum and even a lack of access to the technology itself. Equipment such as the balance trainer or the THERA-Trainer senso are virtually unknown to many trainees, as they are rarely covered or used in practical training at school. It’s only during internships, at facilities that use this kind of technology, that trainees get a deeper insight into their potential. To make the training future-proof, it is important to give more weight to technological content in the curriculum and to strengthen collaboration between schools and innovative establishments.

Manuela Panter: There is definitely a need to catch up and adapt occupational therapy training to technological developments. Device-based therapy methods should become an integral part of the curriculum, not just in theory but also in practice. We as a practice create oppor­tunities to introduce students and lecturers to the use of modern technologies through observation placements. The students can try out the equipment themselves and see how it is used in therapy situations. This not only sparks interest and understanding, but also motivates lecturers to integrate these topics more strongly into their teaching schedule. That’s the only way training can keep pace with the demands of modern practice.

Redaktion: The concept is a flagship example. How do you present your establishment to the outside world? And what role does image play in your positioning as a modern and progressive establishment?

Manuela Panter: We place great emphasis on communicating our concept and vision to the outside world. This includes participating in specialist conferences where we can exchange ideas with other experts and present our model. Collaborating with regional networks and health organisations is also a key part of this, as it increases the profile of our practice and strengthens our networking. We have also established international contacts and actively exchange ideas. It’s something we really enjoy and it provides us with the necessary validation.

Wiebke Penkun: I find it exciting just how diverse the practice’s public presence is. The interdisciplinary exchange in particular is incre­dibly enriching, because it allows us to see how our work has an impact and how it is perceived from the outside.

Redaktion: What do you both want for the future?

Manuela Panter: I would like our model to be an inspiration for other day care facilities and occupational therapy practices. Modern technologies and interprofessional collabo­ration shouldbecome the rule and not the exception.

Wiebke Penkun: I hope that many young therapists get the opportunity to work in such innovative practices. It would be amazing if the use of modern technologies became standard practice in occupational therapy.