The Singapore Robotics Rehabilitation Centre, a private facility located in the city centre, features Lokomat®️Nanos and C-Mill VR+ Hero Solution, designed for intensive gait and balance training.

Founded by Mr Chien Han How, who also owns the Sleepwake Centre, the centre opens new treatment possibilities to the patients suffering from various conditions, such as stroke, trauma, reparable spinal injuries and hip replacement.

Mr. Chien is a firm believer in the benefits of medical technology. He has close to 30 years of experience in the business of non-surgical management of patients with neurophysiological, respiratory and sleep disorder conditions.

With the new centre’s opening, he hopes to make medical technology accessible to all. He believes that technology also has a significant role in non-surgical therapy such as rehabilitation.

Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a sleep technician by training. No, I do not teach people how to sleep nor sleep on the job. I conduct sleep studies on patients and provide treatment for patients with sleep disorders. I have been doing this for the last 30 years, and I am a self-confessed technological gig. I love to utilize new technology to advance medical diagnosis and treatment.

Q: Why did you pivot from your respiratory and sleep centre to start a rehabilitation clinic?

I have probably reached a high point with my current practice, and I think I should look for something new that is much needed in the community. While looking and researching for new “tech toys”, I came across a unique proposition to combine physical rehabilitation with robotics and virtual and augmented reality. I believe that there is a huge demand, especially with our ageing population and more patients with neurological conditions like stroke survivors in the community.

Now that patients are getting more tech-savvy and are empowered to manage their own conditions, having robotics and VR and AR could close this gap and bridge patients to better rehabilitation outcomes. Studies have also shown that using robotics and conventional therapy achieves more efficacious outcomes!

Q: Where do you see Singapore rehabilitation Robotics Centre in 5 years’ time?

In 5 years’ time, we would love to be recognized as the Gold standard for advanced technological rehabilitation not only in Singapore but in the region as well. I know that sounds ambitious, but it is doable because the use of technology is here to stay, whether you like it or not. Technology will assist many of us not only to overcome our limited resources but also make us more reliable, efficient and effective in our daily activities. Singapore robotics rehabilitation centre has the edge over current modalities, encompassing proven clinically sound therapy and technologically driven approaches in setting new standards in rehabilitation!

Q: If you had the power to change anything in the rehabilitation community, what would it be?

To make access to such technology wider and easier to more patients. And more healthcare professionals to be more aware of such tools to improve the quality of lives of patients. Also that every institution would adopt robotics into their practice because there is no limit what technology can do as it is always evolving!