August 11, 2025 – A rare nerve disorder and complications with Guillain-Barré syndrome brought Daniel Garza to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Cypress. As part of Garza’s intensive rehabilitation plan, he worked with a new technology—Aretech ZeroG 3D—that allowed his care team to safely and effectively challenge his balance and coordination. As a result, Garza’s motor function and overall stability improved remarkably.
“Technology is the best thing ever,” said Garza. “I felt so safe using it, and everyone here has truly believed in my potential.”
ZeroG 3D is a new piece of equipment in Encompass Health Cypress’ therapy arsenal. The robotic body weight support system automatically tracks patients as they freely move in any direction, and the harness is designed to prevent falls during therapy treatments.
“This technology helps our patients recovering from a variety of different conditions,” said Susha Thomas, director of therapy operations at Encompass Health Cypress. “Patients recovering from a stroke, spinal cord injury or learning how to navigate Parkinson’s Disease could benefit from ZeroG 3D. Even patients working on balance issues, vestibular training or learning to do daily living activities could see improvement with our therapists using this equipment.”
Thomas added therapists can also use ZeroG 3D with patients who have difficulty transferring from sitting to standing or difficulty with walking. The sophisticated technology provides verbal feedback to the patient when the machine has prevented a fall.
“When our patients hear the verbal feedback, it gives them the confidence to perform activities that they would not have tried without the harness,” said Thomas. “The harness gives them the confidence they are safe and will not fall.”
Encompass Health Cypress’ therapists are using ZeroG 3D with all levels of patients, and like Garza, the patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The possibilities are really endless,” said Thomas. “Whether introducing hurdles or agility ladders, having this advanced technology opens all kinds of opportunities for our therapists and patients. Zero3 GD greatly improves treatment plans.”
The technology also has heart rate and pulse monitors that notify clinicians if vitals exceed a certain limit. Zero3 GD was installed at Encompass Health Cypress in July. Therapy teams immediately started training and working the technology into patients’ therapy services.