Find out the reason why right or left side stroke patients should use their affected side. RAPAEL Smart Rehabilitation Solutions are developed to help left side stroke and hemiplegic patients train their affected side.

Left Side Stroke: The Reason Why People Should Use Their Affected Side 

Left Side Stroke / Right Side Stroke: The Reason Why People Should Use Their
Affected Side
As mentioned in the former post on neuroplasticity
[https://blog.neofect.com/why-neuroplasticity-matters-to-your-rehabilitation/],
based on many researches of the scholars, we have learned that the affected side
(left side or right side body parts in which movements are suppressed due to the
stroke) of the brain-damaged patients could be recovered. Obviously, it would
not completely come to the condition prior to the damage but the recuperation
will differ in accordance with the amount of effort put into.

Here, ‘effort’ means making right or left side stroke patients actively use and
move their affected side. However, since most of the patients cannot move their
body at will, they avoid using their unaffected side. No matter how strong their
will is, they tend to use their normal side (unaffected side) in daily lives.

For example, when opening and closing a door, it takes much more time and effort
with the affected arm compared to using normal arm. Naturally as patients stop
moving their uncomfortable limb, muscular dystrophy (loss of capability due to
the unused muscles) and loss of sense would appear.

 * The video of the hemiplegia patient opening and closing the door


Clinicians then wondered if “there would be ways to show that the affected side
could function”. The result of the concern is "Constraint-Induced Movement
Therapy"(CIMT).

In the research of 1968, Taub & Berman operated a unilateral dorsal Rhizotomy on
a monkey. The left side stroke monkey had completely lost the capability to move
its left upper-limb.



By bandaging the normal limb so that it would not be used, the intensive
exercise to make the monkey use its affected (left side) limb was implemented.
As a result, the movement of the affected side improved, almost to the normal
condition.



Based on the relevant studies, researchers including Fritz developed
"Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy" in 2005, a therapeutic technique that
could be applied to humans. This therapy was invented to overcome learned
non-use syndrome. It (Force Use) consists of restricting the normal arm and
intensively exercising with the damaged arm and hand.

Learned non-use syndrome could fairly be controlled within the rehabilitation
treatment. That is, depending on what kind of treatment you receive, learned
non-use could diminish. The home environment ideal for patients to train every
day with their affected side is strongly required.

Considering these, Neofect Smart Rehabilitation Solution
[https://www.neofect.com/us/for-home] for left side stroke was developed. While
training with Neofect, right or left side stroke patients get to concentrate on
games. This rehabilitation environment induces the patients to unconsciously use
their affected side.

In addition, Neofect Smart Glove [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-glove] 
analyzes the training results of the patients with the artificial intelligence,
recommends suitable games and by targeting a goal and level for each game,
patients can constantly be motivated to train themselves.


*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]

Daily Rehabilitation

Left Side Stroke: The Reason Why People Should Use Their Affected Side

In trying to increase stroke awareness and the resources exist for stroke survivors, there are some apps you can use to prevent and manage stroke symptoms

Help Prevent and Manage Stroke with Technology

May was Stroke Awareness Month. In trying to increase stroke awareness and the
resources that exist for stroke survivors, there are several apps that you can
use to both prevent and manage stroke symptoms. These free apps can be found on 
Google Play
[https://play.google.com/store/apps?utm_source=apac_med&utm_medium=hasem&utm_content=Jun1218&utm_campaign=Evergreen&pcampaignid=MKT-DR-apac-kr-1003227-med-hasem-ap-Evergreen-Jun1218-Text_Search_BKWS-BKWS%7cONSEM_kwid_43700009359644034_creativeid_96242360585_device_c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5NuqmIbh2wIVVxSPCh3KtQZwEAAYASAAEgL3cfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CN7xyJmG4dsCFWU_YAodaeYLuQ] 
or the Apple App store
[https://itunes.apple.com/kr/app/apple-store/id375380948?mt=8].

Let’s use the power of technology to decrease the up to 80% of strokes that are
preventable! The American Stroke Association also has great toolkits for
individuals and organizations to help prevent and provide educational resources
related to stroke. Visit the American Stroke Association for more information.


Apps for Preventing and Managing Stroke
* HF Path

This app by the American Heart Association is a self-management tool for
individuals with Heart Failure. Those with heart failure are at greater
short-term and long-term risk for strokes of all sub-types compared to the
general population. Managing your heart failure can assist in further prevention
of stroke.


* Blood Pressure (BP) Watch

With this app, you can collect, track and analyze your blood pressure record
over time, identify trends and share information with your provider. High blood
pressure increases risk for stroke due to damage caused in the arteries
throughout the body, which weakens the walls and creates conditions where these
arteries can burst or clog more easily. Blood pressure management is critical to
reducing stroke risk.


* Medisafe: Pill Reminder and Medication Tracker

Managing health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high
cholesterol can often be done by changes to an individual’s lifestyle. When
that’s not possible, or not enough to make the necessary changes, medication
might be used for management of these conditions. This app provides medication
information, education and reminders to take and refill medications so an
individual is not without the necessary medication to manage these conditions
that, uncontrolled, can lead to stroke.


* Foodsmarts

An app by the National Stroke Association, Foodsmarts provides guidance and
personalized nutrition support in choosing food and recipes that will reduce the
risk of stroke. Individual dietary preferences as well as food choices that
consider someone’s chronic diseases are considered.


* Diabetes: M

This app is a comprehensive reminder system for blood glucose checks, blood
sugar tracker and nutrition database. Individuals with diabetes are 1.5 times
more likely to experience a stroke. Management of diabetes using technology is
one way to try to keep blood glucose in check to reduce your risk.


* Breath Ball

The Stress Relief Breathing Exercise—This app uses the visual of a ball to work
toward improved stress relief through harnessing the breath and slowing down the
breathing. In Austrian rehabilitation facilities, a simple five second inhale
and exhale pattern is used to help patients manage their stress. You can also
create new breathing exercises and adjust them to your daily needs. As a risk
factor for stroke, breathing and mindfulness exercises can assist in reducing
stress and overall system inflammation that increases stroke risk.


* For Clinicians: Via Therapy

Uses Stroke guidelines to provide clinicians with upper extremity resources and
therapies for patients that have experienced a stroke. The app uses questions to
narrow down the needs of the patient based on their presentation. Virtual
reality solutions like the Neofect Smart Glove
[https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-glove] and Smart Board
[https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-board] are indicated for patients that have
some voluntary movement along with task specific practice and motor imagery
which are also concepts incorporated in Neofect Smart Rehab solutions
[https://www.neofect.com/us/for-home].


*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]

Stroke Prevention

At Neofect, Stroke Awareness Month is important to us. The company and our mission to bring rehabilitation technology to people in their home environments.

7 Ideas to Lower YOUR Risk of Stroke

At Neofect [https://www.neofect.com/us], Stroke Awareness Month is important to
us. The company and our mission to bring rehabilitation technology to people in
their home environments to increase the intensity and enjoyment of the rehab
process is based on personal experience. Read more about Hoyoung Ban’s personal
story and the beginnings of the company here.

Every year we try to participate in Stroke Awareness events such as community
Stroke Fair events in conjunction with the VA or one of many Strike Out Stroke
events around the country.



80% of strokes and heart disease can be prevented and stroke is the 5th cause of
death in the US. Here are “Life’s Simple 7” ways to reduce your risk of stroke:




7 Ideas to Lower you Risk of Stroke
1. Be active
30 minutes of physical activity, 5-7 days per week is recommended to reduce your
risk, exercising with a friend or a group might be a good way to stay
accountable
Visit Go4Life for other fitness ideas and ways to stay active
www.nia.nih.gov/Go4Life


2. Control Cholesterol
Get regular check ups to monitor and manage your cholesterol


3. Eat a Healthy Diet
A brain healthy diet is high in fruits and vegetables, poultry, fish, nuts,
whole grains and low-fat dairy. Avoid red meats, sweets, sugary beverages,
saturated fats, food it high total fat and cholesterol.


4. Manage Blood Pressure and Atrial Fibrillation
Women have more strokes than men and stroke kills more women than men. 1 in 5
women is at risk of having a stroke. Conditions like atrial fibrillation
increase stroke risk by 5x and is more common in women and men after the age of
75. All women over age 75 should be screened for atrial fibrillation.


5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

6. Control Blood Sugar
If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, you’re at a higher risk for stroke, work
with your physician or dietician to maintain an appropriate blood sugar


7. Don’t Smoke

*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]

Stroke rehabilitation is fun with RAPAEL Smart Glove. CES 2017 Innovation Award winner, AARP 2017 Champion, CNN selected 14 coolest tech products.

Stroke Rehabilitation is now Fun!

What is Neofect Smart Glove?
The Neofect Smart Glove is a biofeedback system that includes an exo-glove with
built-in sensors and an artificial intelligence software to help patients with
neurological and musculoskeletal injuries regain their hand mobility.

Sensors embedded in the device transmit data wirelessly via Bluetooth, and the
Neofect software creates game-based training tasks. The immersive games simulate
actions conducted in daily life, and therapists can design specific rehab
programs by combining various games.


The Learning Schedule algorithm automatically adjusts the difficulty level based
on the patient’s range of motion and goals. This ensures the patient stays
challenged throughout training, and at the same time, creates a positive,
encouraging environment. The system monitors the performance data and generates
progress reports.

The Neofect Smart Glove [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-glove] is now
available to purchase, so stroke victims can work on regaining their hand
mobility in the convenience of their home.

The Neofect Smart Glove has received numerous accolades, including a 2017 CES
Innovation Award, the AARP 2017 Innovation Champion Award, and Popular Science’s
2017 Best of What’s New Award in the Health category.



1. CES [https://www.ces.tech/] 2017 Innovation Award winner
Neofect Smart Glove has been named a CES 2017 Innovation Awards Honoree.
Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of
independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade
media to hoaor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer
electronics products across 28 product categories.

The prestigious CES Innovation Awards are sponsored by the Consumer Technology
Association (CTA)TM, the producer of CES 2017, the global gathering place for
all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies, and have been
recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976.

Entries in CES are evaluated on their engineering, aesthetic and design
qualities, intended use/function and user value, unique/novel features present
and how the design and innovation of the product directly compare to other
products in the marketplace. Products chosen as CES Innovation Honorees reflect
innovative design and engineering in some of the most cutting-edge tech products
and services coming to market.


2. AARP [https://www.aarp.org/] 2017 Champion Innovation Award Winner
Neofect Smart Glove has been chosen as the winner in the “Caregiver Quality of
Life” category at AARP Innovation Champions Award.



The AARP contest in 2017 has been devoted to innovation in caregiving. Award
submissions were accepted in six categories: daily essential activities,
caregiver quality of life, health and safety awareness, care coordination,
social well-being and transition support.
The annual AARP Award rewards disruptive technologies and groundbreaking
business models which are designed to create intuitive, affordable innovations.
The contest is a celebration of the entrepreneurs of the frontier of change.

“We need to spark investment in what we call Ageless Innovation – innovations
that are universally designed for all people – of any age,” said Terry Bradwell,
AARP’s chief enterprise strategy and innovation officer. “We couldn’t be more
excited to introduce the Innovation Champion Awards to help raise awareness of
products and services that can truly make a difference in people’s lives.”

To learn more about the AARP Innovation Champions Award, visit 
https://innovationaward.aarp.org/innovationaward/.


3. CNN selected 14 coolest tech products from CES 2017
Article quote

> “Neofect Smart Glove reminds us how powerful tech can be. The glove helps
rehabilitate stroke patients through virtual activities like darts and card
games played on a compatible app. It wraps around the wrist, and sensors track
patients' motion and improvement as they progress through therapy. Physicians
and clinics around the world already use the Neofect glove, but it's now
available for patients to purchase”




Articles about Neofect
*CNN Tech - 14 coolest tech products from CES 2017
[http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/06/technology/ces-2017-tech-highlights/]
*CNN Money - Smart glove helps stroke patients rehabilitate
[http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/05/technology/smart-glove-stroke-ces-2017/index.html]
*TechCrunch - Smart canes and wheelchairs among tech empowering the disabled at
CES
[https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/05/smart-canes-and-wheelchairs-among-tech-empowering-the-disabled-at-ces/]
*Mashable article
[https://mashable.com/2018/03/20/smart-glove-therapy/#_ltzWIXOOiqK]


*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]

Rehabilitation at Home

Stroke Rehabilitation is now Fun! Thanks to Neofect Smart Glove

Discover four ways to spice up your stroke rehab program.  (Mild) stroke rehab program doesn't have to be boring anymore!  Find options like the Smart Board, Smart Glove or Smart Pegboard that turn your rehab into a game.

4 Fresh Ideas for Your Stroke / Mild Stroke Rehab Program

Stroke / Mild Stroke Rehab Can Be Boring But It Doesn’t Have To Be!
Which would you rather do for your stroke / mild stroke recovery program?

Early on in (mild) stroke recovery, it can be difficult to use the small amount
of emerging movement a person has to engage in something that allows for a high
intensity, high repetition program in order to continue to improve range of
motion and function. The tools that have long been used in therapy, like the arm
skate, can be mildly effective, but can also leave patients wishing there was
something more exciting and engaging to keep them moving.



The Neofect Smart Board [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-board] is a new rehab
tool that can help both clinicians and home users translate the movement that a
person has to engaging games like ping pong and games that mimic activities of
daily living like feeding pets.


Here are four ways to spice up your stroke / mild stroke rehab program:


 1. Find options like the Smart Board [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-board], 
    Smart Glove [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-glove] or Smart Pegboard
    [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-pegboard] that turn your rehab into a
    game. Beating your score, trying to get more repetitions in less time and
    using your motion as a controller for these games keeps your mind engaged
    while your body is moving, providing increased motivation for improvement.




 2. Do your stroke rehab with a buddy. Working out with someone is a good way to
    stay motivated. Is there someone that you’ve met in a stroke support group,
    a friend or caregiver that might be able to join you for your therapy
    exercises? Accountability is one of the greatest ways that involving a buddy
    can help keep you on track.




 3. Connect with a local OT program to see if they offer any opportunities to
    come into classes or programs that they offer for adapted sports, recreation
    or pro-bono clinic options. Students often have fresh ideas and may be able
    to learn as much from you as you can from them. To find a school that might
    be near you go to: https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Find-School.aspx.


 4. See about clinical trials that might be happening in your area. If you want
    to freshen up your stroke recovery, consider joining a trial for a new
    device or approach to therapy. There are always new pieces of technology
    coming out, new drug trials and other things that may help to reinvigorate
    your stroke rehab progress. http://www.strokecenter.org/trials/


*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]