The Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 10 best rehabilitation hospitals
in the nation. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit and acute
medical components on-site, allowing them to begin the rehabilitation process sooner than other rehabilitation
hospitals.
In 2018, the Shepherd Center implemented the AC360 in its spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation treatment
protocols. Their aim was to evaluate how the AC360 would impact rehabilitative recovery time post injury for the
patients with spinal cord and brain injuries.
The Shepherd Center continues to research the use of AC360 technology and to date, has seen improvements in
rehabilitative recovery times in their patients with spinal cord and brain injuries. Follow-up with the Shepherd
Center remains ongoing as the Center continues its studies.
Researchers have estimated that, as of 2019, 17,730 new spinal cord injury cases occur each year and between
249,000 and 363,000 people are currently living with spinal cord injury in the United States. By implementing
AC360 therapy in this population group, time to recovery post SCI may improve as well as the therapy slows
down further deterioration from the injury itself, thereby preserving some remaining neuromuscular function.
This is important, not only for improving the quality of life of those injured, but also reducing the cost burden to
the patient, facility, insurer and governmental organizations that become financially involved.
