Wheeleo® under the scientific eye: what Prof. Deltombe has to say

Professor at UCLouvain and specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Dr Thierry Deltombe coordinated the first reference study on Wheeleo®. His verdict, without conflict of interest, is unambiguous.

There are opinions, and there is evidence. Prof. Thierry Deltombe’s opinion falls into both categories.

Doctor of Medicine, specialist in physical medicine and functional rehabilitation, professor at UCLouvain – Dr Deltombe coordinated the first published scientific study on Wheeleo®, published in 2020 in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, the leading international journal in its field. I have no conflict of interest with Wheeleo®. To guarantee this, he himself purchased the device at the time, and the study was carried out without any external funding – internal, independent academic work.

What the figures say

The study involved 30 hemiparetic patients – people with motor weakness on one side of the body, typically following a stroke. The results were clear:

• +20% walking speed over 10 metres at a comfortable pace
• +30% at maximum speed
• +50% distance covered in 6-minute endurance test – 150 metres instead of 100

And the question every clinician asks first: is the risk of falling increased? ” No, the risk of falling was not increased by this test”, confirms the professor. This concern is allayed by the data themselves.

What the clinic also observes

Beyond the numbers, it’s the quality of the walk that changes. Wheeleo® accompanies movement without interrupting its rhythm: “We transform a three-beat gait into a two-beat gait. The result: a more fluid, more aesthetic and safer gait – which patients immediately perceive as a gain in dignity as well as mobility.

Which patient profile benefits most? Hemiparetic patients at the start of rehabilitation. But the field of application is broader: “Its usefulness is not confined to the field of neurorehabilitation, but to all areas of rehabilitation for patients who require support to move around.” Geriatrics, oncology, patients with impotent arms – the Wheeleo® is now an integral part of the department’s practice.

A tool in the toolbox – not a one-size-fits-all solution

Prof. Deltombe is not overly enthusiastic. He clearly points to the main obstacle to adoption: the fear of falling and loss of balance, which dissuades some patients while others find it a reassuring support. It’s a paradox that needs to be better understood, in his view, to better target indications.

He also insists on a prerequisite on the caregiver’s side: “Therapists necessarily need a minimum of training – that they know who to use it with, how to use it.” Wheeleo® is a tool, and like all tools, its effectiveness depends on who prescribes it and how.

As for the absence of brakes – a surprising feature at first glance – this is precisely what convinced him: “When I saw how patients moved with the Wheeleo® and with the physiotherapist, I immediately saw the potential.

His conclusion can be summed up in one sentence: “If the Wheeleo® were taken away from me, I’d still be in a lot of trouble.

Are you a healthcare professional? Find clinical resources and contacts for integrating Wheeleo® into your practice on wheeleo.eu.