It is impossible to fully reverse stroke damage, current research shows the brain is capable of relearning even years after a stroke through Neuroplasticity.

Tips for Unlocking Neuroplasticity After Stroke Part 1

Almost 800,000 people suffer from a stroke in the United States each year,
making it the primary cause of disability among adults 1
[http://www.strokecenter.org/] Strokes often cause damage to areas of the brain
resulting in loss of movement, sensation or language skills. Although it is
impossible to fully reverse the damage, current research has shown that the
brain is capable of relearning lost skills even years after a stroke through a
process called Neuroplasticity.

The word Neuroplasticity is a fancy way of saying that the brain (neuro) can
change (plasticity). After a stroke, neuroplasticity can help the brain to work
around the damaged areas in order to regenerate, re-establish, and rearrange the
neural connections related to function.

With a little work and a lot of commitment, the amazing power of Neuroplasticity
can be activated at any time, even years after a stroke. In this series of blog
posts we will look at 10 tips for unlocking the power of retraining the brain
and body and neuroplasticity after stroke
[https://blog.neofect.com/tag/neuroplasticity/]. Check out the five tips below.
Make sure to check back in for tips 6-10 in the next installment!

1. Use it or Lose it
You may have heard the expression “use it or lose it”, meaning that if we don’t
use a muscle for a long time, it can atrophy (waste away). This principle
applies to the brain as well. When a stroke affects an area of the brain
controlling one arm many people compensate by relying on the unaffected or
“good” side for most tasks. This compensatory reliance on the unaffected hand
can lead to “learned non-use” of the affected side. The longer this disuse goes
on, the harder it can be for the brain to regain control of the affected arm.

Preventing learned non use involves working to incorporate the affected side
into your life as much as possible and as often as possible.

2. Use it and Improve it
The magic of neuroplasticity
[https://blog.neofect.com/5-ways-brain-games-for-stroke-rehabilitation-increase-brain-health/] 
is that the brain can remap itself. If an area controlling movement is damaged
it is possible for a neighboring area to rewire itself to control the movement
that was lost. This remapping won’t happen spontaneously, however. You have to
use it to improve it! The brain is made up of axons that send electrical signals
to each other to communicate. Every thought and action involves communication
between axons. When we repeat a movement or thought, axons from previously
unconnected areas of the brain can link up, creating a new network. This
connection formation principle is explained best with the phrase “what fires
together, wires together”, coined by neuropsychologist Donald Hebb in the 1940s.

3. Repetition Matters
Repetitive practice of desired movement patterns helps the brain become stronger
by rewiring and reinforcing newly formed neural pathways. But how much practice
is enough? Studies in humans and animals have shown that hundreds of repetitions
are required per day to elicit change(2). This much repetition can seem
daunting, but with the help of technology such as rehab based apps and stroke
rehab devices like the Neofect Smart Glove
[https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-glove] you will be surprised how easily you
can fit repetitive movement exercise into your daily routine.



4. Intensity Matters
Anyone that has learned to play the piano can tell you that you have to practice
every day to get better. The same is true of making changes in the brain after a
stroke. No matter how many repetitions you do in one sitting it takes more than
one day of practice to change your brain. So how quickly could you see progress?
Large studies of patients who were weeks to years past their stroke have
reported long-lasting functional improvements after completing 2–12 weeks of
intensive repetitive skilled motor practice programming (3).

5. Focus Matters
Think about learning a new route to work. Initially you will need to pay close
attention and use directions to get to where you are going. After repeating the
route daily it will become habitual and you may be able to complete the drive
without too much active thought. The same is true for relearning to use your
body after a stroke. In the beginning you will need to pay close attention to
your movements and use directions given by therapists. Once you have unlocked
neuroplastic change in your brain through practice and intensity you may be able
to complete activities with much less thought.

Here at NEOFECT [https://www.neofect.com/en/], we're committed to supporting you
in your stroke rehab [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-glove] journey. If you
have had a stroke and are looking for an effective solution for your
rehabilitation needs, please look into NEOFECT's line of Smart Rehabilitation
Solutions.

To learn more, please call (866) 534-4989 or email contactus@neofect.com.

Nudo RJ, et al. Neural substrates for the effects of rehabilitative training on
motor recovery after ischemic infarct. Science, 1996;272(5269):1971-94.

Kimberley TJ, et al. Comparison of amounts and types of practice during
rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury and stroke. J. Rehabil Res Dev. 2010;
47(9):851-62. Rehabil Res Dev. 2010; 47(9):851-62.

Dobkin, Bruce H, et al. “New evidence for therapies in stroke rehabilitation.”
Current atherosclerosis reports vol. 15,6 (2013): 331.
doi:10.1007/s11883-013-0331-y

Lo AC, Guarino et al. Robot-assisted therapy for long-term upper-limb impairment
after stroke. N Engl J Med. 2010;362(19):1772–1783. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
[Google Scholar] *

Taub E., Uswatte G., Mark V. W., Morris D. M. (2006). The learned nonuse
phenomenon: implications for rehabilitation. Eura. Medicophys. 42, 241–256
[PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Sousa et al. (2018) Interventions involving repetitive practice improve strength
after stroke: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy. 64, 4. [Science
Direct]

For more information on Neuroplasticity:
Brainworks - What is Neuroplasticity
[https://brainworksneurotherapy.com/what-neuroplasticity]
ScienceDirect - Neuroplasticity
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/neuroplasticity]
Stroke-Rehab - Neuroplasticity
[https://www.stroke-rehab.com/neuroplasticity.html]

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you
think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Reliance on any information provided by the NEOFECT website is solely at your
own risk.

Neuroplasticity

Once released from the hospital after a stroke, it is important to start thinking about how best to continue your post stroke rehabilitation program. 

How to Determine the Best at Home Stroke Rehab Device to Use



Once you or a loved one is released from the hospital after having a stroke and
are back home it is important to start thinking about how to best continue your 
post stroke rehabilitation [https://www.neofect.com/us/] program. It is
important for a stroke survivor to stay motivated even after they have been
discharged from all therapy programs. Research shows that people can continue to
recover from a stroke for years after the original stroke.

When determining what device would be best for you or a loved one after a stroke
its important to look at a few key components.

Does the device incorporate a key factor to healing after a stroke:
Neuroplasticity?


A stroke causes damage to the brain which can cause one side of the body to have
weakness. However our brain has the ability to rewire itself after an injury,
this is called neuroplasticity
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/can-e-stim-help-jumpstart-outpatient-stroke-rehabilitation]
. The principles behind neuroplasticity states that in order for the brain to
rewire itself it requires repetitive exercises to be done in order to build new
pathways. Therefore it is very important to find a device that incorporates
repetitive movements.

Is the device backed by evidence?
When choosing a device it is important to make sure the device has been utilized
in multiple research studies and has proven to work to improve people's function
after having a stroke. You want to make sure the device is viable and reliable.

Is the device user friendly and can it be used independently by a stroke
survivor who has one sided weakness?
It is important to find a device that you or your loved one can use
independently and will not cause frustration. It is important to find a device
that will motivate you! Can you or your loved one set up and or put on the
device independently is an important question to ask yourself if that person
will be home alone when using the device.

Is the product paired with any assistance from a therapist?


It is important to make sure that the device allows support when needed from a
therapist who can help you along the way and answer individual questions along
the way.

Is the device affordable?
It is important to find a stroke rehab device
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/how-the-neofect-smart-glove-stroke-rehab-device-aids-stroke-recovery] 
that is affordable for you. Most devices are not covered by insurance, therefore
it is important to find a device that best suits your needs. It is important to
find a device that is worth the money and will not just collect dust on your
shelf!

Choosing a good device for your needs after a stroke is very important and
should be done in a timely manner. It is very important to continue with your
stroke rehab at home as you can continue to make gains for many years after a
stroke!

Neofect Smart Home Rehab has developed the Smart Glove, Smart Kids Glove, and
Smart Board which helps people who have suffered from a stroke, traumatic brain
injury, Cerebral Palsy, or many other neurological injuries. The Smart Glove is
lightweight and portable, and can be taken anywhere along with the 10 inch
mobile tablet it connects with. The Smart Glove and Smart Board are both
affordable products that can be used at home independently or with a therapist.

After purchasing a Smart Glove or Smart Board an onboarding session with an 
occupational therapist [https://www.neofect.com/us/therapist] will be scheduled.
During the onboarding session the occupational therapist will provide education
on how to properly utilize device and will be there to provide support. At the
end of the session the occupational therapist will provide you her information
so that if you have any other questions or concerns you can reach out at any
time.

The Smart Glove and Smart Board are biofeedback tools that were created based on
the theory of neuroplasticity of the brain. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s
ability to create new connections and neural pathways by performing repetitive
movements. The Smart Glove and Smart Board help to create a lot of repetition in
a fun and engaging way. Each of the activities encourage movements that are
needed for activities of daily living, so you can work towards gaining back your
independence.

The Smart Glove [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-glove] and Smart Board is
backed by research at some top facilities. Research has shown that utilizing the
Smart Glove 5 times per week for at least 30 minutes has increased users upper
extremity function as well as overall quality of life. Therefore, consistency is
key!

To learn more about the Smart Glove, Smart Kids Glove or Smart Board and find
out how you can purchase a therapeutic stroke rehab device that you can use
anywhere or anytime please call (888) 623-8947 or email contactus@neofect.com.

stroke rehab device

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.