In Hamilton, Ohio, a University of Cincinnati occupational therapy student, Sophie Shockey, has made significant strides in stroke rehabilitation. Shockey, inspired by the obstacles faced by stroke survivors, created a rehabilitation wall for her capstone project at the NeuroFit Gym—a place renowned for serving those with neurological conditions. According to a University of Cincinnati article, this rehab wall was designed to blend physical and cognitive exercises, providing a comprehensive recovery tool.
Shockey's motivation to specifically cater to stroke patients arose from a need to see them regain not just motor skills but also to confidently challenge their cognitive abilities. Her dedication to this cause led her to construct and endlessly refine her idea into a wall-mounted system, featuring sections for kitchen, game, art, and laundry tasks—all aimed at mirroring everyday activities. Shockey's work, through its innovative blend of interaction and skill-building, intends to make rehabilitation less of a tedious process and more engaging, as she told the University of Cincinnati.
The sheer functionality of the rehab wall stands out, with each section targeting key recovery aspects. For instance, the game and art section is designed to engage cognitive, motor, and creative skills through a variety of activities like tapping light-up pods and matching patterns. Meanwhile, the kitchen section makes use of adaptive utensils and iPad-based questions to simulate real-world tasks, bolstering both cognitive and motor skills. Similarly, the laundry section introduces a playful aspect with Laundry Bingo, coupled with the replication of everyday chores to improve fine motor skills and functionality in daily tasks.
Shockey's project came to fruition with support from the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub Ground Floor Makerspace. Here, she was able to not only fully design but also build her rehabilitation wall. The facility gave her access to tools like a laser cutter, 3D printer, and CNC router. "Over my time [at 1819], I've seen that there's no problem that can't be solved ... you just feel like everything is possible here," Shockey optimistically remarked to the University of Cincinnati. Her vision, coupled with the makerspace's resources, helped her to practically turn her plans into a tangible reality.
Above all, Sophie Shockey seems most reassured by the real-world impact of her work. "Getting to see clients use the wall and seeing that the activity worked for them was really rewarding," she shared with the University of Cincinnati, indicating that the physical manifestation of her efforts is simply a means to a more fulfilling end. Shockey's ultimate joy comes from witnessing the rehabilitation wall actively assist stroke survivors, a testament to both her commitment to bettering lives and the potential of thoughtful, patient-centered innovation.
