MS Queensland has long been a leader in delivering comprehensive support services for people living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. With the opening of their Neuro Wellness Hub in Milton, QLD, the organisation sought to invest in advanced rehabilitation tools that could help clients regain confidence and function in their daily lives.
To meet this need, MS Queensland became one of the first MS-focused organisations in the world - and the first facility in Queensland - to install the Motek C-Mill VR+, a state-of-the-art treadmill system that integrates body-weight support, virtual and augmented reality, and real-time feedback to enhance gait rehabilitation.
The Challenge
Many people with MS experience issues with balance, coordination, stride, and fatigue, all of which affect their ability to walk safely and independently. Conventional physiotherapy, while effective, can be limited in intensity, repetition, and real-world simulation. MS Queensland recognised a gap: clients needed more dynamic, engaging, and intensive rehabilitation to accelerate progress and regain confidence in community mobility.
There was also a growing demand for technologies that could support dual-task training, fall prevention, and neuroplasticity-driven gains. The solution had to be safe, measurable, and motivational for people at varying stages of ability.
The Solution: Motek C-Mill VR+
To address these challenges, MS Queensland partnered with Rehab Technology to install the Motek C-Mill VR+, a fully immersive treadmill system designed for gait and balance therapy.
This innovative device allows therapists to create interactive, customisable training sessions that replicate everyday walking challenges like stepping over obstacles, avoiding hazards, or multitasking while walking. It offers:
- Body-weight support via harness: enabling earlier intervention with reduced risk of falls
- Virtual and augmented reality scenarios: for real-world task simulation
- Dynamic visual feedback: to improve motor learning and engagement
- High-repetition treadmill training: increasing steps per session for enhanced outcomes
The C-Mill VR+ combines biomechanical analysis with interactive environments, empowering both therapists and clients to track progress with precision.
Implementation at MS Queensland
The C-Mill VR+ was installed at the MS Queensland Neuro Wellness Hub in Milton in late 2024. Since installation, it has been integrated into both 1:1 and small group therapy sessions, led by the multidisciplinary allied health team. Therapists undergo specialised training in the C-Mill interface to deliver:
- Gait re-education with visual cueing
- Obstacle negotiation drills
- Dual-tasking exercises (cognitive + motor)
- Confidence-building mobility challenges
Each session is tailored to the individual, with real-time feedback and progression metrics built in to maintain motivation and measure success.
Clients are supported in a safe, supervised environment with adjustable difficulty levels and video analysis to identify gait abnormalities and track improvements over time.
Client Impact & Outcomes
The introduction of the C-Mill VR+ has been transformative for clients at MS Queensland. Many participants have reported:
- Improved mobility – including increased stride length, step accuracy, and walking speed
- Boosted confidence – due to the safe, controlled, yet challenging environment
- Greater independence – with enhanced ability to navigate real-world environments like shops, footpaths, or public transport
- Higher engagement – thanks to the gamified, interactive nature of the training
One client shared:
“It’s not just walking on a treadmill - this actually trains you for what life throws at you. It’s helped me feel more confident leaving the house again.”
Therapists have also praised the system for its ability to make therapy more data-driven and client-centred.
The Bigger Picture
This installation marks an exciting shift in neuro-rehabilitation in Queensland. By embracing advanced rehabilitation technologies like the C-Mill VR+, MS Queensland is not only improving day-to-day outcomes for its clients but also setting a new benchmark for therapy services across Australia.
As awareness grows, MS Queensland hopes to expand the technology’s reach to other hubs and to collaborate with researchers to build evidence-based protocols for broader implementation.
Conclusion
The installation of the Motek C-Mill VR+ at MS Queensland is more than just an investment in equipment - it’s a commitment to innovation, dignity, and empowerment for people living with neurological conditions.
By integrating immersive, measurable, and motivating rehabilitation into their service model, MS Queensland is redefining what’s possible in neuro rehab—and offering their clients the confidence to take the next step.
