*Functional task practice is an exciting milestone in the MyoPro training program. Before attempting any functional tasks, be sure to have mastered your proficiency drills first. These drills are the foundation of your success. Remember that increasing movement, independence and functionality with your MyoPro is a marathon and not a sprint! Success comes with regular practice, consistency and creativity. Don’t be afraid to try new activities. Even if it doesn’t work at first, you are engaging in valuable therapeutic use of your weaker arm. Always be sure to work with your Occupational or Physical therapist to help you identify, customize and achieve appropriate and meaningful goals.
Putting a MyoPro on (otherwise known as donning) can be done by the user themselves or with assistance. The following video demonstrates how a caregiver can assist with this process. While putting a MyoPro on someone’s arm can seem daunting at first, with some practice and patience it will get easier and faster. Working with an occupational or physical therapist can be helpful in figuring out specific strategies to make the process easier for you.
To remove the MyoPro from the arm, simply disconnect the front harness tab. Do not disconnect any other harness straps from the MyoPro.
Continue by opening the rest of the straps and lifting the arm out. It does not matter what order you do this in.
Once the MyoPro has been taken off the arm you may note markings from the sensors. These marks are normal and will fade within 15 – 20min.
Before applying the pinchers, make sure that the fingers and thumb are set as far apart as possible.
To move the thumb out, loosen the lower screw on the thumb plate with a Phillips heads screwdriver. Move the thumb into position then re-tighten the screw.
Place the palmer pincher on top of the thumb and line up the holes. If the surfaces do not align, try the other pincher. Once aligned, insert a thumb screw into the open hole and tighten clockwise to secure. Be careful not to over tighten. Repeat this process with the second pincher over the index finger.
Practice closing your fingers. The pinchers should meet when the hand is closed.
To remove the pinchers, simply loosen the thumb screws and detach the pinchers from the hand.
During functional training, MyoPro users may find that it is easier to pick up a variety of objects while wearing these pinchers.
Precautions
To unlock the wrist hinge, push the flexion/extension button up. When the wrist hinge is unlocked, you will be able to move your wrist up and down. Once you have positioned your wrist where you want it, push the button down to lock it in place.
To be able to rotate your forearm and turn your palm up or down, open the latch on the black ring. When this latch is open, the ring will be unlocked. Once you have positioned your forearm where you want it, close the latch to lock the ring again.
Tips:
This exercise helps to develop control of the biceps muscle, which is located in the front of your upper arm and assists with bending your elbow.
This exercise helps to develop control of the muscles in your forearm that are used to close your fingers and bend your wrist.
The following set of exercises work on coordinating the movement of your elbow and hand using biceps and close modes. Begin with part 1 and master that before moving on to parts 2 and 3.
PART 1. This exercise works on activating the elbow and the hand together and then relaxing the elbow and hand together.
PART 2. This exercise works on activating either the elbow or the hand while the other part relaxes.
PART 3. This exercise works on developing independent control of the hand and elbow.
Repeat this exercise, working on smooth controlled movement.
This exercise helps to develop control of the triceps muscle, which is located in the back of your upper arm and assists with straightening your elbow.
This exercise helps to develop control of the muscles in your forearm that are used to open your fingers and extend your wrist back.
The following set of exercises work on coordinating the movement of your elbow and hand using triceps and open modes. Begin with part 1 and master that before moving on to parts 2 and 3.
Part 1. This exercise works on activating the elbow and the hand together and then relaxing the elbow and hand together.
Part 2. This exercise works on activating either the elbow or the hand while the other part relaxes.
Part 3. This exercise works on developing independent control of the hand and elbow.
This exercise helps to develop active control of both the biceps and triceps muscles in the upper arm, which are used to bend and straighten the elbow.
Part 1
Part 2
This exercise helps to develop active control of the muscles in the forearm, which are used to open and close the fingers and bend the wrist towards and away from the body.
The following set of advanced exercises work on coordinating the movement of your elbow and hand using dual mode at the elbow and hand. Begin with part 1 and master that before moving on to parts 2.
PART 1: This exercise works on activating both the elbow and the hand together.
PART 2: This exercise works on opening and closing the hand, with the elbow in different positions.
Simple tasks that involve bringing something up to your mouth to eat or drink are a great place to start functional training with a MyoPro Motion G. The following video shows a Motion G user working in bicep mode at the elbow and close mode at the hand. Feel free to substitute the banana for a different snack of your choosing.
• Power the MyoPro on.
• Select bicep mode at the elbow and close mode at the hand. The MyoPro will straighten your elbow and open your fingers to start.
• Position the banana in your hand and close your fingers, grasping on to it. It’s ok if you need to use your other hand to help position it more securely.
• While maintaining your grasp on the banana, bend your elbow as far as you can to it to your mouth.
• Relax your elbow. The MyoPro will straighten it.
• When you are ready to release the banana, relax your hand and the MyoPro will open your fingers.
Additional suggestions:
– This task can be done seated or standing. If you are sitting down, it may be helpful to change the elbow extension limit, so that your elbow stops before it is fully extended. This can be done with the MyConfig software on the laptop provided to you by Myomo.
– Other snacks or finger foods can be substituted if appropriate.
– The MyoPro finger attachments can be used if needed.
Simple tasks that involve bringing something up to your mouth to eat or drink are a great place to start functional training with a MyoPro Motion G. The following video shows a Motion G user working in bicep mode at the elbow and close mode at the hand.
Additional suggestions:
Bilateral tasks, or tasks that use both arms are a great way to begin your functional training program with your Myopro. The following video shows a Motion G user working in bicep mode at the elbow and close mode at the hand to carry a laundry basket.
Power the MyoPro on.
• Select bicep mode at the elbow and close mode at the hand. The MyoPro will straighten your elbow and open your hand to start.
• Bend down and grasp the laundry basket handles in both hands.
• Bend your elbows, lifting the laundry basket up.
• Carry it to the desired location.
• Relax your elbows and the MyoPro will straighten your arm. Relax your hand to open your fingers and release your grasp on the laundry basket.
Additional suggestions:
– This task can also be done in dual mode.
– The laundry basket can be positioned on the floor or higher surface such as table to start.
– Make sure the laundry basket is relatively lightweight (no more than 5lbs).
– Select a laundry basket with handles that you can grasp with the MyoPro or hook your fingers underneath.
A successful way to increase function is to pick activities that involve both arms and where the MyoPro holds or stabilizes an object for the other hand. The following video is a great example of this. It shows a Motion G user working in bicep at the elbow and close mode at the hand to open a yogurt container.
Additional suggestions:
Feeding yourself independently is a common goal for MyoPro users. The following video shows a Motion G user working tricep mode at the elbow and close mode at the hand to cut fruit.
Additional suggestions:
Tricep mode can be helpful during functional training because it can be used in a variety of stabilization activities. The following video shows a Motion G use working in tricep mode at the elbow and close mode at the hand to stabilize and slice a cucumber on a cutting board.
Additional Suggestions:
Additional suggestions: This task can also be done in dual mode. This task can be done sitting down or standing at a counter. Consider the type of utensil you want to use – wider handles can be easier to grasp. It may also be helpful to tape or strap the fork into your hand if you do not have use of your fingers. Consider the type of food you are cutting – pick a type of food that is easy to cut. Note the position of your hand and wrist. Remember you can rotate your hand and bend your wrist so that they are in the best position for the task. Motion W users only.
Additional suggestions: This task can also be done in dual mode. This task can be done sitting down or standing at a counter. Consider the type of utensil you want to use – wider handles can be easier to grasp. It may also be helpful to tape or strap the fork into your hand if you do not have use of your fingers. Consider the type of food you are cutting – pick a type of food that is easy to cut. Note the position of your hand and wrist. Remember you can rotate your hand and bend your wrist so that they are in the best position for the task. Motion W users only.
Tricep mode is a great mode to use for tasks that involve pushing items such as a grocery cart or tools around the house. This video shows a Motion G user working in tricep mode at the elbow and close mode at the hand to push his leaf collector.
Additional suggestions:
A successful way to increase function is to pick activities that involve both arms and where the myopro holds or stabilizes an object for the other hand. Tricep mode is helpful in many of these tasks as the user can maintain a bent elbow position without needing to sustain a tricep contraction. This video shows a Motion G user working in tricep mode at the elbow and close mode at the hand to hold and open a yogurt.
Additional suggestions:
Once mastered, dual mode offers users greater ability to control their elbow and hand in different positions. Meal preparation and other household chores are common tasks in myopro functional training programs and are often done in dual modes. The following video shows a Motion G user working in dual modes at the elbow and hand to complete a cooking task.
Additional suggestions:
This video shows a Motion W user working in dual mode to pull on a pair of pants. Dressing and other self-care tasks are common goals for MyoPro users. Dressing can be challenging, so it is advisable to select a smaller task within that goal such as pulling on pants or shorts. Keep in mind that this task does require some shoulder movement.