Imagine trying to tie your shoelaces with just one hand. For many patients who suffer a stroke or other brain injuries only being able to use one side of the body is a harsh reality. But now, a new device is helping those patients regain what they've lost. 7Healthcast reporter Dr. Deanna Lites has more.
Charlie Curran says, "I went to stand up and i fell on the floor."
Three months ago, he suffered a stroke. "Stroke is damage to the brain that is caused usually by a lack of circulation to an artery that feeds the brain," says Dr. Douglas Katz.
"I had stroke in the right side of my brain that affected the left half of my body. I couldn't move my hand at all," says Charlie.
He has been working with occupational therapists from Healthsouth Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital to strengthen the weakness caused by the stroke..
Charlie says, "It's very frustrating, and you lose all independence completely ."
Occupational therapist Meline Nichol says, "What they find is that the earlier you start to move the affected side of the body, the more speedy recovery is going to become. "
Along with his regular therapy , Charlie uses this new device called the "NESS H200." It fits over his hand and forearm and inside it are electrodes. The device sends out electrical charges to help stimulate the muscles. "You can feel an electric impulse and then all of the sudden your hand will either open or close," says Charlie.
For Charlie, those pulses help him to grasp the barrel with his hand, and then release it.
"The bioness product allows patients to enhance the movement , enhance practice and we think may enhance the ability of the brain to reorganize even a long time after the stroke," says Dr. Katz.
And Charlie says the device is helping him get back that independence he once lost.
"I feel good, getting my stamina back, got the use of my left arm and hand now, makes a huge difference," he says.
The NESS H200 is approved by the FDA.
It costs around $6200.
Right now, Charlie is only able to use the device at the hospital, but the company is working to get him one for home.
http://www.bionessinc.com/products.aspx
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