Case Study NunoErin

in collaboration with

Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group

Therapeutic Applications for NunoErin Interactive Furniture and Design Solutions

Patent Pending Serial No. 61/534,235.

An equipment utilization research study performed in collaboration with Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group, Ridgeland, Mississippi, USA
November 2012

Case Study NunoErin

in collaboration with

Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group

Therapeutic Applications for NunoErin Interactive Furniture and Design Solutions

An equipment utilization research study performed in collaboration with Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group, Ridgeland, Mississippi, USA
November 2012

Participants NunoErin (Jackson, MS) NunoErin is a multidisciplinary art and design firm specializing in interactive furniture solutions offering multi-sensory experiences that awaken the human desire to touch, play, and explore. The company's interactive light products and heat-sensitive furniture use responsive technology that relaxes, restores, and engages. NunoErin products are sustainable, durable, easily maintained and connect people of all ages in new and unexpected ways. For more information, visit www.nunoerin.com. Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group (Ridgeland, MS) Beyond Therapy is a pediatric therapy clinic offering dynamic and innovative pediatric speechlanguage pathology, and physical, occupational and behavioral therapy and educational services to improve the quality of lives for infants, toddlers, children and their families. Beyond Therapy therapists are uniquely skilled in creating evidence-based therapy interventions that simulate the act of 'play' for patients. For more information, visit www.bptherapygroup.com.

Case Study NunoErin

in collaboration with

Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group

Research Overview
Since the company's founding in 2007, architects and interior designers worldwide have selected NunoErin products for contract installations at venues including hospitals, airports, commercial lobbies and major restaurant and hospitality chains. The uniqueness of these products in terms of promoting touch and play and their appeal across all age groups inspired company founders, Nuno Ferreira and Erin Hayne, to explore their potential application as therapeutic equipment for use within the speech, occupational and physical therapy trades. Working in collaboration with Beyond Therapy, a month-long equipment utilization research study was conducted to determine the value of NunoErin products in helping therapists provide therapeutic and educational services to children with special needs.

Methodology
In September 2012, NunoErin installed a Thermosensitive Stool and Touch Panels and an Interactive Light Sparkle Bench in Beyond Therapy's Snoezelen Sensory Room, where physical, occupational and speech therapy services are administered. During the month of October, Beyond Therapy therapists incorporated the use of this equipment into their routine training and education with patients. Sessions lasted one hour on average, and instruction included fine motor (use of smaller muscles in hands, handwriting, depth perception, problem solving, cause/effect, etc.); gross motor (use of larger muscles to sit-up, roll-over, crawl, walk, etc.) and speech and language training. More than 50 patients ranging in age from 18 months to 7 years participated. Participating therapists maintained a journal in the room and made routine entries as patients responded (positively or negatively) during their sessions.

Thermosensitive Swamp Stool

Case Study NunoErin

in collaboration with

Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group

Patient/Therapist Response
The response from participating patients and therapists alike was overwhelmingly favorable. The newness and attraction of the technology piqued their curiosity, captured their attention and served as a major motivational tool. The NunoErin equipment enabled children to 'visualize' therapist instruction and desired outcomes, and provided real-time visual rewarding feedback thus increasing their ability and desire to learn. For example, children learning to walk heel-to-toe could correlate their movement to the sequence of 'advancing' as the Bench lights changed color with every step. The equipment enhanced the in-session 'play' experience, making it more fun and enjoyable for the child and more productive for the therapist. Patients remembered their experiences with the equipment and were eager to return for their next session.

Sparkle Bench

Case Study NunoErin

in collaboration with

Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group

Actual patient experiences included:

> A 7-year old cancer patient, rehabilitating from surgery to remove a tumor from her femur, achieved 'straddle abduction' by standing on the Bench and 'swiping' the lights with her foot. > A 3-year old stroke/CVA victim suffering from hypertonicity (increased tightness) of her right hand was able to see her full handprint for the first time in her life after her therapist helped her stretch her hand out and placed it on the Stool. > A 5-year old with autism and decreased finger isolation and imitation ability was motivated to imitate vertical and horizontal lines with finger isolation on the Bench and Stool. > An 18-month old with Down syndrome and decreased strength and muscle tone and gross motor skill deficits was inspired to 'cruise' the Bench and even pull herself up to stand at the Bench with facilitation from her therapist. > A 4-year old Spina Bifida patient with decreased mobility of his legs was motivated to perform his leg exercises, while sitting on the Bench and moving his legs to change the light colors. > Several therapists utilized the Touch Panel to assist Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy patients with pelvic obliquity with weight shifting. Patient imprints on the Panel after 15 seconds of sitting, enabled therapists to observe abnormal weight shifts and advise accordingly.

Sparkle Bench

Thermosensitive Swamp Stool

Case Study NunoErin

in collaboration with

Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group

Other Key Conclusions

> This equipment transcends all therapy disciplines (speech, physical and occupational) and age ranges - making it cost beneficial for therapists and enabling maximum return on investment. > The height of the Bench (16) is ideal as therapists are not required to bend or stoop to administer therapy. The slight elevation enhances attentiveness to instruction. Additionally, the Bench was a stable surface for physical activity enabling patients to lie, crawl and walk on it. > For children with hypertonicity of their hands, this equipment motivates them to open their hands, stretch those tight muscles, and in many cases truly see their entire handprint for the first time. The equipment visually 'rewards' them for their efforts and inspires repetition which over time lengthens flexors and strengthens extensors. > In terms of stimulating voluntary movement and use of bones and muscles, this equipment is revolutionary. The Bench is ideal for developing handwriting skills, finger isolation and increasing finger strength. It is perfect for teaching patients to walk heel-to-toe as it ties their movement to the sequence of 'advancing.' To this point, an interactive 'Balance Beam' product is in development. > The Thermosensitive equipment can aid therapists significantly with weight bearing analysis and therapy. Touch Panels can serve dual purpose as weight distribution measurement tools to ensure children with curved spines are properly fitted for their wheelchairs.

Sparkle Bench

Sparkle Bench

Case Study NunoErin

in collaboration with

Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group

Next Steps
Through collaborative efforts, including continued research and analysis, NunoErin and Beyond Therapy will combine clinical skills and interactive technologies to develop therapeutic equipment and healthcare devices for the therapy trade. Product and device development considerations include: > Benches and Tables featuring sound-sensitive LEDs enabling light color changes in response to child vocalizations. > Benches and Tables featuring multiple textures, vibration mechanisms and pressure-grading functionality. > Thermosensitive and Interactive Light Stairs (set of 3 5 steps) and Balance Beams. Additionally, NunoErin and Beyond Therapy will collaborate on similar efforts to explore the use of this equipment for sensory stimulation (and delaying the onset of Alzheimer's and dementia) among the growing elderly population.

Sparkle Bench

Case Study NunoErin

in collaboration with

Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group

NunoErin Equipment Utilization Therapists: Physical, Occupational, and Speech Company: Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group, Ridgeland MS AGE GROUP 3 years DIAGNOSIS Stroke/CVA DISCIPLINE OT FUNCTIONAL LIMITATION Child has hypertonicity (increased tightness) of her right hand. Decreased understanding of cause and effect. ACTIVITY Child was able to see her hand print on heat sensitive stool after it was stretched. Child began learning about cause and effect for precursor for a communication device by touching lights on table. Child was motivated to imitate vertical and horizontal lines with finger isolation on the light board and the heat sensitive stool. Child worked on finger isolation on the light table and also stretching hand on heat sensitive stool to see entire hand print. Imitated motions and gestures with lights. Child climbed on and off the light Child climbed on and off the light bench with assistance. bench with assistance.
Child cruised at the bench with facilitation from therapist. Child pulled to stand at light bench with facilitation from therapist. Child actively stretched her left Left arm to reach and swipe the lights. Child moved into tall kneeling and balanced in this position. Child changed the lights by performing leg exercises sitting on the table. Child sat on pressure cushion and PT could observe abnormal weight shifts by the imprint left after 15 seconds. PT was then able to work with child on weight shifting. Child pulled to stand from sitting on therapists lap and bore weight in standing at light bench. Imitating sounds in coordination with hitting the light bench. Stretching and strengthening activities on light bench.

3 years

Stroke/CVA

ST Speech

5 years

Autism

OT

Decreased finger isolation and imitation

4 years

Escobar Syndrome

OT

Limited motion of all joints

2 years 3 years 3 years

Autism Williams Williams Syndrome Syndrome

Down syndrome

ST PT PT

Limited imitation skills Decreased visual depth Decreased visual depth Decreased visual depth perception and overall motor perception and overall motor perception and overall motor coordination and strength. coordination and strength. Decreased strength and muscle tone with gross motor skill deficits
Left side tightness Left side weakness and balance deficits Decreased mobility of legs

18 months

PT

7 years 7 years 4 years

Cerebral Palsy PT Cerebral Palsy PT Spina Bifida PT

4 years

Spina Bifida

PT

Pelvic obliquity

3 years

Angelman Syndrome Prader-Willie Cancer

PT

Motor Coordination Deficits Motor coordination deficits

1 year 7 year

ST PT

Language Delays Language delays Post surgery to remove tumor from femur

Case Study NunoErin

in collaboration with

Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group

Therapeutic Applications for NunoErin Interactive Furniture and Design Solutions

Patent Pending Serial No. 61/534,235.

NunoErin

01.601.944.0023 www.nunoerin.com info@nunoerin.com

For more information please contact Chris Myers chris.myers@nunoerin.com