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Stroke Rehab: Its Never too Late!
– Reported, October 01, 2013
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Strokes are the third leading cause of death in this country. They are the leading cause of disability among adults. It was once thought that whatever mobility stroke survivors had after two years, thats all they would ever get, but researchers are developing new technology thats proving that fact wrong.
Seven years ago, Todd Daniels couldnt stand on his own.
I suffered a brain injury, a traumatic brain injury, Todd Daniels told Ivanhoe.
As a result, Todd suffered a stroke.
My family was told I would always need to be in a nursing home and I would never walk again, Todd said.
Determination is finally proving the experts wrong.
Todd is one of the first to use a new bionic arm, tested at The Ohio State University to help him regain movement.
The pads pick up the intention, or the desire, for the patient to move. Then, the robot detects that and basically amplifies that desire to move, Stephen Page, PhD, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Ivanhoe.
For Todd, the studys been a success.
When he first started the study, the only time he could actually do any motion was involuntarily. So, now hes doing it voluntarily, Heather Tanksley, Occupational Therapy Student, The Ohio State University, told Ivanhoe.
Dr. Page believes with the repetitive use of the bionic arm, a patients brain is being rewired.
Areas that maybe werent being used or dedicated to a certain movement, like moving the arm, can actually be used, Dr. Page said.
Also, just how much a stroke patient is improving is, for the first time, being measured by the same technology used in your smart phone.
When we turn it one way, or the another way, the screen changeso its sensitive to movement, Dr. Page said.
Accelerometers, which measure the acceleration and direction of body movements, are placed on each ankle, both arms, and across the chest.
We are able to determine how well, how fast, and how efficiently a stroke survivor is moving, Dr. Page explained.
Just gaining some motion back was just a huge step, Todd explained.
Dr. Page believes that stroke patients in recovery, even ten years after a stroke and possibly throughout the rest of their lives, can continue to increase their mobility. He hopes the bionic arm will be able to go home with the patients to help them do simple tasks around the house more easily.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Steve Page, PhD, OTR/L, FAHA
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
[email protected]
