Gentle electrical stimulation(Estim) has been used for years in therapy clinics to help retrain the connections between the brain and the body.

Can E-Stim Help Jumpstart Your At-Home Rehabilitation?

After an injury to the brain, including a stroke, the muscles of one or both
arms can become weak or even partially paralyzed. This happens because the area
of the brain that controls these muscles has been damaged.

How to repair?
The problem isn’t in your muscles though, it’s actually the connection between
your muscles and your brain! But don’t despair becauswith practice the human
brain can often relearn skills and repair itself. This is called neuroplasticity
[https://www.neofect.com/en/pt-solution/]!

Gentle electrical stimulation (Estim) has been used for years in therapy clinics
to help retrain the connections between the brain and the body.



A subtle electrical current is sent to specific muscles through small gel pads
that emit a “jump start” to remind your brain to focus on using this area of
your body.

Repetitive exercises help!
The jump start only works effectively in the long term when combined with
targeted repetitive exercises such as those incorporated into the gaming
software of the Neofect Smart Glove or Smart Board [https://www.neofect.com/us/]
. Both estim and our Smart Glove can be used at home and are appropriate for
many stroke survivors. This is a great way to increase participation in training
outside of the doctor or therapists office.

Stroke side effects where Estim can be a helpful tool:
 * Spasticity – Many stroke survivors experience some changes in muscle tone
   that can result in stiff or “stuck” joints. By stimulating the muscles around
   these stiff areas you can begin to loosen these joints.
 * Paresis – Extreme weakness leading to paralysis can be another issue that
   electrical stimulation can help with. By introducing small amounts of
   movement to certain muscles, the brain can start strengthening the
   connections to start moving again.
 * Sensory issues – Many stroke survivors also deal with sensory changes like
   tingling and numbness in their hands or arms. There is some evidence that
   estim can be helpful for these symptoms as well.



To learn more about how Estim can be used during exercise please call (888)
623-8984 [tel:+18886238984] or email contactus@neofect.com.

Neuroplasticity

Can E-Stim Help Jumpstart Your Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation?

With the abundance of stroke-related research, it’s important to remember that every stroke, just like every person, is different! Here are some examples.

Exercises for each stage of Stroke recovery

We understand that recovering after a stroke can be a confusing journey. Often,
it is helpful for people that have suffered a stroke and their caregivers to
have an idea about what to expect. With the abundance of stroke-related
research, it’s important to remember that every stroke, just like every person,
is different! For example, pre-existing conditions, complications and unexpected
side effects can affect how a person moves through a typical recovery timeline.
Below we list the typical steps in a stroke recovery timeline:

Acute care
Acute care is the time immediately after a stroke, typically within the first 7
days. During this time, internal systems, such as breathing and heart rates, are
stabilized by medical professionals to try to prevent a recurrence.
Rehab exercises and protocols are usually not done at this time unless cleared
by the physician. A therapist may visit and help change positions to reduce
joint stiffness, swelling and pressure sores.



Acute rehabilitation
Acute care is the time immediately after a stroke, typically within the first 7
days. During this time, internal systems, such as breathing and heart rates, are
stabilized by medical professionals to try to prevent a recurrence.
Rehab exercises and protocols are usually not done at this time unless cleared
by the physician. A therapist may visit and help change positions to reduce
joint stiffness, swelling and pressure sores.



Exercises during this period may focus on:

 * Self-care training: Self-care training focuses on adapting to perform
   everyday tasks, such as dressing and eating.
 * Mobility training: Mobility training focuses on learning to use a cane or
   walker, if needed.
 * Functional electrical stimulation: Electrical stimulation is used to help
   jump-start muscles that need a nudge to perform functional activities, like
   holding a spoon or turning a door knob.
 * Daily exercise routines: Daily exercise routines are important to see
   results. This is because the consistency in performing tasks helps create the
   repetition that is required to continue progressing.

Long term rehabilitation
At this point 1 year post-stroke, most people have returned home or to a long
term care facility.
Although most motor and functional recovery happens in the first 3 months, there
is evidence that therapy is helpful throughout a person’s lifetime. For this
reason, it’s important to never give up, neuroplasticity never expires!

Here are options to continue rehab at home:

 * Virtual reality: New technology is available which takes advantage of the
   brain’s ability to rewire itself. To learn more, check out the fun and
   engaging Neofect Smart Rehab products [http://home.neofect.com].
 * Wearable devices: Devices Maintain the gains you have achieved through
   monitoring continued exercise with a wearable fitness device.
 * Robotic assistance- impaired limbs sometimes need a little extra help. Check
   out the Neofect NeoMano [https://igg.me/at/neomano/] to find out about
   assistive grip technology.



To learn more about Neofect smart rehab devices, call (888) 623-8984
[tel:+18886238984] or email info@neofect.com.

Stroke Exercises

Stroke Exercises for Each Stage of Stroke Recovery

Why You Should Exercise After a Stroke: A research concluded that 45 minutes to an hour of moderate-to-vigorous exercise was good for the brain.

Exercise after Stroke: for Brain Function and Mental Healthiness

Exercise can help you live longer and can lower your risk of stroke, diabetes,
and heart disease. After analyzing data from 1.2 million people in the United
States, a recent study found that those who exercised 45 minutes, three to five
times per week resulted in improved overall mental health as well. “Even just
walking three times a week seems to increase one's overall mental health,” said
Dr Adam Chekroud, a researcher of this project.



Why You Should Exercise After a Stroke
Another research study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine
revealed that aerobic exercises appear to improve a person’s cognitive function
and resistance training appears to enhance a person’s executive function and
memory. The research concluded that 45 minutes to an hour of
moderate-to-vigorous exercise was good for the brain.

With Exercises, Can the Brain Heal Itself after a Stroke?
Indeed, exercise can change the structure and function of the brain. Researchers
from New Mexico Highlands University found that when one is walking, the impact
that one's foot makes with the ground sends waves through the arteries which
increase blood flow to the brain. Blood flow to the brain assists with bringing
the brain oxygen and nutrients, which will help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s
disease, slow brain aging by 10 years, and improve the brain by creating new
brain cells. It also triggers the release of mood-enhancing chemical―
endorphins.



Stay Active After a Stroke
A research study that was conducted on 1.2 million people in the U.S. has found
that even doing something as simple as daily household chores can lower one's
chances of presenting with signs of poor mental health by 10% per month. The
research states that “exercise” can be considered physical activities, such as
childcare, housework, lawn-mowing, carpentry, fishing, and or yoga.

Get Some Help by Utilizing Smart Devices


By utilizing smart rehab devices, you can also shorten your road to recovery.
Neofect Home offers various stroke recovery programs
[https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-board] aiming to assist stroke survivors with
regaining independence with their activities of daily living. Neofect provides
gamified programs that focus on the active movement of the affected arm/hand.
With Neofect, patients can partake in motivating and fun rehabilitation through
various training games designed for improvements of active range of motion and
ability to control the affected arm/hand.

Neofect consists of an algorithm which automatically adjusts to the optimal
level of difficulty as you play to balance challenge and motivation. Neofect
adjusts the game's difficulty level in accordance with the user’s current
status, which allows personalized training. To learn more about Neofect smart
rehab devices, call (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984] or email info@neofect.com.

Exercise After Stroke For Brain Function and Mental Healthiness

Research done on our RAPAEL Smart Glove and other therapy devices has shown that patients can achieve improvements even 20 years after the incident!

Why Neuroplasticity Matters to Your Rehabilitation

The research was done on RAPAEL Smart Glove and other therapy devices have shown that patients can achieve improvements even 20 years after the incident!

Why Neuroplasticity Matters to Rehabilitation

Neuroplasticity for Stroke Paitents' Rehabilitation


If you have been in rehabilitation for a brain injury
[https://www.neofect.com/us/for-home], such as trauma or a stroke you have
probably heard the term neuroplasticity. It might sound intimidating, but it is
one of the most important concepts related to recovery.

Neuroplasticity is simply a catch-all term to describe the many ways that the
brain and nervous system change, both in our everyday lives as well as in
recovery after an injury.

A Brief History


The word “plasticity” first appeared in an 1890 textbook called The Principles
of Psychology, written by esteemed philosopher and psychologist William James.
He describes the brain as a collection of pathways through which information
must travel. The information the brain needs to move the hand, for example, must
travel from point A in the brain to point B before the hand actually moves.

Usually, that information takes a specific path, one that is deep-seated that
path is tread many times just in the course of an hour; the brain learns to use
that path as the fastest way to get the hand moving. However, when something
happens to block that path, such as an injury or stroke that interrupts blood
flow to the brain, the information at point A still needs to find a way to point
B, just on a different path.

It’s a bit like Google Maps [http://www.google.com/maps]. If a traffic accident
causes delays on your normal commute home, Google Maps may direct you to take
different streets in order to get you home earlier.

How Times Have Changed


Studies on neuroplasticity and the brain’s ability to change itself are still
very new, having only started 50 years ago. Back then, the idea that the brain
could change in any way was unheard of. It was believed that we were born with
all the brain cells that we would ever have, and the brain was incapable of
regenerating itself. The medical community believed that any damage to the brain
was irreparable.Unfortunately, this school of thought still exists in the world
of neurologic recovery, even though scientific discovery continues to show that
we can indeed make changes and recover from damage to the brain and neural
pathways, even years and decades after the initial injury.

Patients still hear from their doctors and therapists that whatever improvements
they’ve made after a certain time (typically 6 months to a year) is all that
would ever be possible. Patients then feel like there is no reason to continue
with rehabilitation because it is simply “too late.”

Is It Ever “Too Late?”
Admittedly, the brain is best primed for re-wiring shortly after the injury or
stroke, meaning those new pathways are much easier to develop the closer
rehabilitation starts from the actual injury.

However, there are always opportunities for continued recovery. Research done on
our Neofect Smart Glove [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-glove] and other
therapy devices has shown that patients can achieve improvements even 20 years
after the incident! The adult brain is not only capable of changing, but
actually does change continuously throughout life, in response to everything we
do and every experience we have.

What Does This Mean for Me?


Now that you understand the theory and science behind neuroplasticity, here are
the three most important principles of neuroplasticity that affect your
recovery.

 1. It absolutely is possible to see physical improvements years and decades
    after the stroke or brain injury. New brain mapping technology and rehab
    studies continue to provide scientific support to this notion.
    
    
 2. Effective training is mostly about how many repetitions of task-based
    movements a patient performs in any given session; how those repetitions are
    performed matters less. In other words, just do it!
    
    
 3. Studies have shown that patients need far more training repetitions during
    rehab sessions in order to maximize functional improvement after a stroke or
    brain injury. Average practice in clinical studies is about 30 minutes per
    day and recent research (Schneider et al, 2016) demonstrates that 80 minutes
    per day is actually ideal to maximize results.
    
    

You may now be wondering how you can fit in the required amount of repetitions
needed in your day-to-day life. The outpatient therapy that most people can
access through insurance, typically 2-3 visits per week for 30-60 minutes,
simply isn’t enough.

As you may have guessed, the Neofect Home Smart Rehab program
[https://www.neofect.com/us] was designed with repetitions in mind, and making
the best use of the time spent in training activities.

How, you ask? We’ll go over ways to increase repetitions and practice, and how
our products can help, in our next blog post!


If you would like to learn more about Neofect Smart Glove
[https://shop.neofect.com/collections/smart-rehab-solution/products/neofect-smart-glove] 
or any of our stroke rehabilitation [https://www.neofect.com/us/for-home] and
recovery products, please call at (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984] or email 
info@neofect.com.

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Reference: J Physiother. 2016 Oct;62(4):182-7