One million euros for the endowed chair in neurorehabilitation

On 19 November 2024, a pioneering initiative was presented at the Burgau Therapy Center: The newly created endowed chair for neurorehabilitation at the Medical Faculty of the University of Augsburg. With the support of RECK-Technik GmbH & Co. KG, which is initially making a generous donation of 1 million euros for the next five years, this professorship will build a bridge between science, clinical care and medical technology.

The endowed chair will be headed by Prof. Dr Andreas Bender, Chief Physician at the Burgau Therapy Center and a proven expert in neurorehabilitation. The aim is to integrate new scientific findings into everyday clinical practice and to decisively advance research in the field of neurorehabilitation. Current projects are investigating the use of robotics and artificial intelligence in rehabilitation.

Another key concern is the training of young doctors. As Prof. Martina Kadmon, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, emphasises, rehabilitation will be given a permanent place in the curriculum in future – an important addition, as this area has been underrepresented in medical training to date.

Networking and synergies
The collaboration between the University of Augsburg, University Hospital Augsburg (UKA) and the Burgau Therapy Center creates a unique platform for the further development of neurorehabilitation. Around 40 % of the therapy center's patients are already referred from the UKA. Synergies are to be further expanded through the physical proximity and the interdisciplinary approach.

Prof Klaus Markstaller, Medical Director of the UKA, emphasised the importance of evidence-based approaches: 
‘Our healthcare system demands innovative, science-based therapies. Cooperation between cutting-edge medicine and rehabilitation medicine is a logical step to ensure the best possible care.’

This close networking is strengthened by the long-standing partnership between the Burgau therapy center and RECK-Technik GmbH & Co. KG. The intensive use of MOTOmed Movement Therapy Devices at the Burgau therapy center plays a central role in this. The devices are firmly integrated into the treatment processes and support patients in training motor functions and improving their quality of life in the long term.

To date, over 50 studies and research results have been published worldwide in connection with MOTOmed Movement Therapy Devices. Particularly in recent years, there has been an increased international interest in new studies with Movement Therapy Devices. RECK-Technik GmbH & Co. KG would now also like to use its donation to promote scientific work in this field in Germany.

The partnership also aims to jointly develop data-based Movement Therapy - a completely new approach. The ability to measure and customize therapy success in the future based on precise data could take neurorehabilitation a big step forward.

Social responsibility through corporate commitment
The realization of the endowed chair would not have been possible without the support of companies and private sponsors. In particular, RECK-Technik GmbH & Co. KG, market leader in the field of Movement Therapy Devices, feels a particular responsibility to promote the development of neurorehabilitation.

Thorsten Banzhaf, Head of Medical Technology Germany at RECK-Technik, emphasised: 
‘Sponsoring the chair enables us to accompany studies and research projects directly on site and support young talents in their scientific work. We see it as our social mission to network science, practice and medical technology.’

Julian Rohrbach, press spokesman for RECK-Technik, added: 
‘Our commitment is based on tradition and innovation. With ‘MOTOmed’, we are setting global standards in Movement Therapy. With this donation, we are making a contribution to actively shaping the challenges of demographic change.’

A benefit for patient care
The endowed chair will not only advance research, but also improve patients‘ care. People who have suffered neurological damage as a result of a stroke or accident, for example, will benefit from innovative approaches designed to enable them to lead a more independent life.

For the Burgau therapy center, this step marks another milestone in its 35-year history. Managing Director Stefan Graf sees enormous potential:
‘We are now one of the leading institutions in this field in Germany. With the endowed chair, we are strengthening our position and creating a basis for future innovations.’

A sign for the future
The new endowed chair will strengthen neurorehabilitation as a discipline and makes it more visible internationally. This cooperation between science, clinics and industry sends a strong signal for social responsibility and medical progress - for the benefit of patients.

F. r. t. l.: Prof. Andreas Bender/Head Physician at Burgau Therapy Center and Chairholder, Stefan Graf/Managing Director Therapy Center Burgau, Prof. Klaus Markstaller/Medical Director of the University Hospital Augsburg, Prof. Frank Kramer/Vice President of the University Augsburg, Prof. Alkomiet Hasan/Medical Director District Hospital Augsburg und Board of Directors of District Hospitals Schwaben, Prof. Martina Kadmon/Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University Augsburg, Thorsten Banzhaf/Head of Medical Technology, RECK-Technik, Julian Rohrbach/press spokesman for RECK-Technik, other donors and sponsors