MYOLYN, Inc.
6931 NW 22ND ST, STE A
GAINESVILLE, FL 32653-1231
PH: 352-204-9066
FAX: 352-204-9588
Do you need financial assistance to purchase a MyoCycle? Check out our Funding Page!
After suffering from a stroke, survivors may feel overwhelmed by the road to recovery before them. They may be having trouble adjusting to the damage caused by the stroke and trying to figure out the best path to move forward. Fortunately, there is hope for stroke patients for increased mobility and recovery from post-stroke injuries. Electrical stimulation can help play a role in this and assist in rewiring the brain to treat many of the common mobility issues that arise after a stroke.
How electrical stimulation aids in healing from a stroke will vary based on both the injuries caused by the stroke and the type of electrical stimulation. There are several different types of electrical stimulation therapies that can benefit stroke patients. These therapies range from upper to lower body treatments and can be used practically in the day-to-day or long-term throughout recovery.
Some of the areas in which electrical stimulation can be beneficial for post-stroke symptoms are the following:
Spasticity, the stiffening or rigidness of muscles that can often occur with nerve damage, is a common symptom to occur after a stroke. In fact, in the first year after a stroke, roughly 25-43% of stroke patients will experience spasticity. This can hinder a stroke survivor’s mobility and autonomy as spasticity can contribute to locked joints, muscle fatigue, muscle spasms, and reduce one’s ability to move and care for themselves.
There are several ways to treat and alleviate the symptoms of spasticity, but one effective method to help reduce pain and discomfort caused by spasticity is electrical stimulation. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems that aid in exercise, like the MyoCycle, tire the muscle and keep it in a relaxed position. With the muscle relaxed, spasms are reduced, and the increased blood flow eases the stiffness and pain.
The benefits of FES can be observed even after the therapy is done. The muscle will remain relaxed for a period of time after FES treatment, and long-term use of FES has been known to reduce spasticity and its symptoms over time.
Depending on the nerve and muscle damage caused after a stroke, the muscles in one’s arms and shoulders may become weakened or paralyzed. When this happens, the muscles around the shoulder may no longer be able to keep the bone in place, causing a partial or complete dislocation of the shoulder. This is called shoulder subluxation.
Treatment is vital for shoulder subluxation. Not only is shoulder subluxation painful, but if left untreated, it can become worse and cause further damage to the shoulder and surrounding muscles. Physical therapy, slings, and tape are some common treatments to help keep the shoulder in place and strengthen the weakened or paralyzed muscles.
Electrical stimulation therapy is often recommended in tandem with these other treatment methods. Electrical stimulation retrains and strengthens paralyzed muscles. As movement is reintroduced and the muscles begin regaining strength, the muscles may be able to keep the humerus in place again, reducing or eliminating shoulder subluxation.
Hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body) is a common form of paralysis after a stroke. This can cause face drooping and mobility problems in both the arms and legs.
Electrical stimulation has been found to be beneficial for hemiplegia in several different ways. Electrical stimulation therapy for stroke patients with hemiplegia can:
After a stroke, a survivor may have to relearn how to walk or have an uneven or stiff gait. Mobility devices such as a wheelchair, braces, walkers, or canes are often used to help maintain autonomy and independence. However, during physical therapy and recovery, electrical stimulation devices for stroke patients may be incorporated to aid in relearning how to walk or improve a patient’s gait.
Electrical stimulation can be used to contract muscles in tandem with gait physical therapy to reteach the muscles how to move properly. For example, a physical therapist may have the patient walk on a treadmill (with or without a body-weight support system) and use electrical stimulation to help the patient move their legs and retrain the brain and muscles how to walk.
There are also FES devices specifically designed to aid in foot drop, which is weakness in the lower legs. This weakness can make it difficult for affected individuals to bend their ankles to lift up their toes when walking. As a result, their toes may drag on the ground as they walk. This can put the person at risk of falling or tripping and can make walking a difficult, or even a dangerous, task.
FES devices for foot drop are cuffs worn around the calf that send electrical signals in a pattern so that the toes lift up as the wearer swings their foot forward while walking. This helps those with foot drop walk with a normal, more stable gait
Dysphagia is when damage to the nervous system causes difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia occurs in more than 50% of stroke patients immediately following a stroke and will become a long-term issue for over 10% of patients. Many patients with dysphagia will need alternatives to oral food intake which can cause health risks and issues.
To try and combat the impact dysphagia can have on a patient’s quality of life, functional electrical stimulation therapy has been used to improve swallowing and allow for food to be taken orally. Studies have shown that FES does reduce dysphagia symptoms and improves the patient’s overall quality of life. However, this therapy should always be done with a doctor or physical therapist present since this is more risky than other forms of FES.
Nerve damage caused by a stroke can significantly impact a patient’s mobility and ability to do physical activities such as exercise, but exercise is essential for both recovery and quality of life for stroke survivors. Exercise benefits for stroke patients include:
FES exercise devices like the MyoCycle allow stroke patients to experience these benefits both in physical therapy and at home. By stimulating the affected limbs, FES helps the muscles in the limb contract to facilitate movement and exercise.
One of our clients, Sheldon, was very active before he suffered a stroke. Determined to not give up his love of bicycling and exercise, he came to MYOLYN for a MyoCycle. “Since starting with Myocycle, I have regained sensation in my lower leg, can kick out my leg, lift my leg, and have more stability standing,” Sheldon told us, “The regular exercise helps lift my spirit, clears my head, and improves my recovery optimism. I find I’m getting back to more of my pre-stroke routine.”
With all the benefits exercise and electrical stimulation has for stroke patients, we want to partner with both clinics and their patients to make FES exercise accessible. We provide the MyoCycle Pro for clinics and the MyoCycle Home for patients in their own homes. Whether you are looking for a new, proven rehabilitation method for your patients or you’re a stroke survivor wanting to remain active at home, contact MYOLYN to learn how the MyoCycle can improve post-stroke injuries and quality of life.
MYOLYN, Inc.
6931 NW 22ND ST, STE A
GAINESVILLE, FL 32653-1231
PH: 352-204-9066
FAX: 352-204-9588