Stroke Recovery Resources & Rehabilitation | Myomo

After a Stroke Paralyzed His Arm, Greg Is Moving It Again With MyoPro

Ian Godzik — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 20:05:16 +0000

Greg Alexander had a stroke in August 2018 that left his arm paralyzed. Therapy got him walking again, but nothing was bringing his arm back until a Myomo representative visited his clinic. Two months into using a MyoPro, he is already seeing more strength and more movement.

The Night of the Stroke

On August 8, 2018, Greg woke up around 3:00am and knew right away he was having a stroke. That night, of all nights, Greg was home alone. His wife was out of town, one of his sons was away at football camp and his other son was at a friend’s house. He knew he had to get help. After about 30 minutes of attempted calls, he was able to reach his sister and brother-in-law who live nearby. His brother-in-law picked him up and took him to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Learning to Walk Again, and Looking for a Way to Move His Arm

The stroke initially left Greg paralyzed. He eventually was able to walk with a walker, and then finally with a cane. He received therapy to help with general function, but besides therapy, he did not have any other solutions to help him move his arm again. One day at therapy, Greg was asked to participate in an in-service where he met a Myomo representative. The team thought he would be a great candidate for the device and gave him confidence that he would be able to move his arm again with his very own MyoPro.

Trying the MyoPro for the First Time

When he first tried on the MyoPro, he felt hopeful. He felt that he might once again be able to use both arms and hands. He knows that realistically it will take time, but he is excited to try activities of daily living such as using a fork and knife with both hands.

Two Months In

Greg has been using his MyoPro for two months now and has already noticed an improvement in his bicep strength. He is ultimately moving more and more each day which makes him happier! Greg and his family are feeling very optimistic that he will continue to make these improvements as he uses his MyoPro for 6-8 hours a day with therapy.

Every stroke recovery is different, and Greg’s results are his own. Read more about stroke recovery, or find out whether you may qualify for a MyoPro evaluation.

Greg’s story is just one example. Read more patient stories to see how MyoPro is helping people regain arm function.

Learn more about regaining arm use with MyoPro.

The post After a Stroke Paralyzed His Arm, Greg Is Moving It Again With MyoPro appeared first on Myomo.

Stroke Survivor and Army Veteran Dave Wherry Finds Direction With MyoPro

Ian Godzik — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 19:58:01 +0000

Dave Wherry owned an HVAC business and had a passion for woodworking. A stroke in 2011 took away the use of his right arm. After six years of rehab, an occupational therapist suggested MyoPro, and it has given him back his confidence and his wood shop.

Life Before the Stroke

Dave was a fixer, first with a direct support maintenance group in the Maryland Army National Guard and then as the hands-on owner of a thriving HVAC company. A father of five, his children and grandchildren kept him busy with baseball games, soccer and dance.

The Stroke That Took His Right Arm

Life as Dave knew it suddenly changed on January 30, 2011. A stroke left him without movement on his right side, not to mention fear and uncertainty. “I was crawling under houses earlier that day,” he says. “Then somebody turns the switch off and says, ‘you’re not going to do that anymore.’”

Six Years of Rehab, Then MyoPro

At 61 years old, he had to give up his business. The tools in his wood shop collected dust. All he could do was focus on rehab, which he pursued with the help of the Baltimore VA hospital and the University of Maryland. After six years of struggle and roadblocks, an occupational therapist suggested that he try MyoPro. It made an immediate difference, physically and mentally.

“Since I got MyoPro, my life has really gained some more direction,” says Dave, now 67. “Before MyoPro, my arm was just there. Now I can get it to do the things I want it to do. I’m able to load and unload the dishwasher, move clothes around. It’s given me a lot of confidence.”

Back in the Wood Shop

His days as a hands-on technician troubleshooting home heating and air conditioning units may be behind him, but thanks to MyoPro Dave’s able to practice his passion of woodworking again. In fact, Dave’s latest endeavor is making walking canes that can be useful for people like him, who have limited use of a limb. He made 20 canes in the first four months after he began using MyoPro.

Dave knows that making small strides will go a long way in his rehab. MyoPro is helping to make those strides even more meaningful. “If anybody says you can’t get something back that you lost years ago, that’s not a true statement. You can get it back, but you have to work at it.”

Dave’s results are his own, and every stroke recovery is different. Read more patient stories, or find out whether you may qualify for a MyoPro evaluation.

The post Stroke Survivor and Army Veteran Dave Wherry Finds Direction With MyoPro appeared first on Myomo.

What is Neuroplasticity and Why Is It Important For Stroke Survivors?

Ian Godzik — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:48:34 +0000

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to form and reorganize neural connections in response to learning, experience and injury. After a stroke, rehabilitation uses this ability to help the brain practice and strengthen new movement patterns and strategies. Recovery varies by person, and neuroplasticity is one part of the broader rehabilitation process.

Neuroplasticity Defined

According to Oxford Languages, the engine that powers the Google Dictionary, neuroplasticity is defined as “the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience or following injury.”

Those synaptic connections play a role in basically everything we do. Our brains transmit and receive messages throughout our bodies via the extensive neural networks that comprise the nervous system, upwards of 100 trillion such connections!

In most cases of stroke, some of those connections are damaged, which negatively affects functioning. However, new connections can form due to the brain’s neuroplasticity to regain some of that functioning or learn new ways of doing things.

The Role of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a key contributor to neuroplasticity. BDNF is a protein that facilitates the growth of new neurons and connections. The good news is that you can take steps to boost your BDNF:

Exercise
Eat more polyphenol-rich foods and beverages, such as coffee, green tea, dark chocolate and berries, while reducing intake of inflammatory processed foods
Minimize stress
Socialize
Spend time outdoors
Get enough sleep
Meditate

How to Activate Neuroplasticity and Use It to Your Advantage

How can you put neuroplasticity to work in your stroke rehabilitation? Consider these tips:

Start immediately. Neuroplasticity is most powerful in the immediate aftermath of the event, so you should start your stroke rehabilitation as soon as humanly possible.
Expose yourself to novel activities. The brain takes notice when we experience something new, and this can lay the groundwork for stroke recovery.
Repetition is your best friend. A single exposure is insufficient to make the new brain connections “stick.” Therefore it’s tremendously important to practice the exercises recommended by your therapists frequently in order to regain your skills or develop new ones to compensate for any deficits.
Be patient. These changes won’t happen overnight, and the new connections can be disrupted in times of stress.

For some people with upper-limb weakness or paralysis after stroke, devices such as MyoPro® may support active use of the affected arm during rehabilitation and daily activities. Whether MyoPro is appropriate depends on an individual evaluation.

Make neuroplasticity work for you as you recover from your stroke. It’s amazing what your brain is capable of.

The post What is Neuroplasticity and Why Is It Important For Stroke Survivors? appeared first on Myomo.

What Is Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA), and Why Does It Happen After a Stroke?

Ian Godzik — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:46:06 +0000

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurological condition that can cause sudden, involuntary episodes of laughing or crying that may not match how a person actually feels. PBA can occur after stroke or other conditions that affect the brain and nervous system. A healthcare professional can help distinguish PBA from depression and other causes of emotional changes.

Damage to the brain caused by a stroke can cause emotional symptoms and personality changes that can be difficult for both the stroke survivor and their loved ones. One specific type of stroke damage that can be particularly unsettling is pseudobulbar affect.

What Causes PBA

PBA occurs when there is a communication disruption between the brain’s frontal lobe, which governs emotional responses, and the cerebellum and brain stem, which controls reflexes. The result can be displays of emotion that are inappropriate or disproportional.

One survey suggested that more than one quarter of stroke survivors demonstrate signs of PBA. Fortunately, patients do have some treatment options and they can also make adjustments to their routines to manage any PBA episodes that may occur.

Signs of PBA

PBA is associated with hallmark outbursts of crying or laughing due to the neurological disconnect between emotional and reflex control. Those outbursts can be:

Involuntary
Temporary
Uncontrollable
Often inappropriate
Unpredictable
Possibly disproportionate to the situation or trigger

Any stroke survivor or loved one who suspects that PBA might be present should consult with a physician to learn about treatment options and next steps.

PBA Treatment and Coping Strategies

Stroke survivors who are demonstrating signs of PBA should speak with their doctors to confirm the diagnosis and explore possible treatment options. PBA-specific medications are available, and talk therapy can be helpful in PBA management, as well.

Certain coping strategies can help to reduce the effects of PBA on your day-to-day life, such as:

Distracting yourself by counting (such as all of the items of one color in a room) or thinking about something else if a PBA episode is imminent.
Taking slow, deep belly breaths until you feel settled again.
Engaging in progressive muscle relaxation to reduce the muscle tension that occurs during a PBA episode.
Changing your body position or posture to disrupt the emotional response.

It can also be helpful to be upfront and honest with others about your condition. Having this information will help them to prepare and better manage their own response to any outbursts.

Hear from people living with neurological conditions and how they’ve reclaimed independence and read their patient stories.

PBA can be upsetting, but with the right treatments and techniques, it doesn’t have to be totally disruptive to your life. Talk to your doctor to find out how you can address this condition.

You can find more on life after a stroke, including communication strategies and support for caregivers, in our stroke recovery resources.

The post What Is Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA), and Why Does It Happen After a Stroke? appeared first on Myomo.

Self-Care for Stroke Caregivers: Signs of Burnout and What Helps

Ian Godzik — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:41:05 +0000

Self-care for a stroke caregiver means protecting the basics: sleep, decent meals, some exercise, time with other people and regular breaks from caregiving. It also means noticing early when you are running on empty. Here is how to spot burnout and what helps.

Taking care of a stroke survivor requires a great deal of physical and emotional energy. It’s important to take care of yourself so that you can continue to take care of your loved one. Just like the flight attendant tells you on the plane, you have to put on your own “oxygen mask” first before you can help others.

It’s also important to understand that self-care doesn’t have to look like finding an entire afternoon to spend at the spa. It can be as simple as making sure that you take time to exercise and prepare healthy meals for yourself.

Signs of Burnout

The most important aspect of self-care is recognizing when you need it. Ideally, you’ll engage in self-care practices on a daily basis, but they’re especially important when you are starting to burn out. Be on the lookout for signs that you might be feeling drained by your caregiving responsibilities, like:

Irritability
Impatience
Sadness or depression
Apathy

If you start to notice any of these warning signs in yourself, it’s definitely time to implement your self-care plan.

Strategies for Self-Care

Self-care techniques will look different for different people. These are just a few suggestions:

Take care of your body. Eat well and exercise as time permits. Choose a few quick and easy healthy meals that you can make in rotation, and fit in 10-minute bursts of exercise if time is short.
Seek out support. For some caregivers, that might look like joining a group specifically designed for caregivers. For others, it might look like having a few go-to friends who you can vent to if you’re having a bad day or talking to a professional therapist on a regular basis.
Practice self-compassion. You are human, and you will make mistakes in this process. Don’t beat yourself up about them. Identify the lesson that you can take away and move on.
Be as well-informed about your loved one’s condition as possible. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or advocate for your loved one’s (or your own) needs.
Keep a journal. It can help you process your own emotions about the experience and better manage stress.
Consider respite care. Enlisting another friend or family member or hiring a professional caregiver to provide care for the stroke survivor can give you an opportunity to take some time off, whether that’s an afternoon or a week or more, to recharge as needed.

Caregivers often learn about the effects of a stroke alongside the person they care for. If you are helping someone manage fatigue, communication changes or the sudden crying or laughing of pseudobulbar affect, start with those guides.

Make sure that you know what you need to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your loved one. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish. It’s a lifeline.

The post Self-Care for Stroke Caregivers: Signs of Burnout and What Helps appeared first on Myomo.

Adapting to Stroke-related Spasticity

Ian Godzik — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:36:22 +0000

Post-stroke spasticity is a common condition that causes muscle stiffness, rigidity or involuntary tightening after a stroke. In fact, anywhere from one-quarter to almost half of stroke survivors experience it in their first year post-stroke.

A stroke survivor who is experiencing spasticity will find their muscles to be unreliable and sometimes painful. This phenomenon can drastically limit the stroke survivor’s ability to manage everyday activities. Fortunately, effective treatments can reduce the effects of spasticity.

What Is Spasticity?

With spasticity, in addition to being stiff and/or rigid, muscles may involuntarily contract while moving. The most commonly affected areas are the elbow, wrist and ankle, and muscle spasticity can in turn have negative effects on tendons and other auxiliary tissues in the area.

Symptoms of spasticity can include:

Muscle spasms
Bent elbow pressed against the chest with curled fingers
Curled toes
Decreased functioning in the affected muscles
Overactive reflexes

Treatment Options

Targeted treatments can reduce the effects of spasticity and improve functioning. These treatments may include:

Specialized exercises and stretching to reduce muscle shortening
Oral medications to relax the nerves
Botox injections to block the affected nerves
Electrical stimulation
Baclofen pump to relax the nerves, which can be helpful for patients who were unable to tolerate other treatments
Braces, which are typically only used for mild to moderate elbow or wrist spasticity
Surgery that targets the damaged nerves causing spasticity

Strategies for Managing Spasticity

Post-stroke spasticity can limit a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, grooming, using the bathroom and preparing meals. It will be necessary to manage spasticity while you are undergoing treatment or if some symptoms persist afterward.

As such, a stroke survivor may need to use alternative strategies for performing these activities. Those alternatives may include:

Slower pacing
Use of adaptive equipment such as grab bars, raised toilet seats and mobility aids (cane, walker or rollator)
Getting assistance from others

If you are working with a physical therapist or occupational therapist for your stroke rehabilitation, those providers can offer guidance on methods for accommodating spasticity. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of this important resource.

The post Adapting to Stroke-related Spasticity appeared first on Myomo.

Adapting to Stroke-related Paralysis

Ian Godzik — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:33:25 +0000

Paralysis after stroke can occur when a stroke disrupts communication between the brain and muscles, resulting in reduced or lost voluntary movement. The severity can range from limited movement, such as foot drop, to more extensive paralysis that can affect daily activities and quality of life.

Post-stroke paralysis is usually hemiplegic, meaning that it only affects one side of the body. That side is typically the one opposite the stroke’s location in the brain. That is, people who experience a stroke on the left side of their brains experience paralysis on the right side of their bodies.

Adherence to a solid stroke rehabilitation program can help to restore some of the functioning of affected muscles. However, a stroke survivor should be prepared to spend at least six months and maybe longer working to regain their functioning. They can also use adaptive equipment to help compensate for any limitations due to the paralysis.

Rehabilitation to Reduce the Effects of Stroke-related Paralysis

How is it possible for a stroke survivor to participate in rehabilitation if they can’t move their muscles on their own? It can be done, using certain techniques that don’t require patients to move their muscles voluntarily. Such techniques may involve:

Passive exercises performed on the patient by a physical or occupational therapist
Visualization of stroke rehabilitation exercises that can trick your brain into thinking you’re actually moving your muscles
Electrical stimulation to reactivate the communication channels between your brain and your muscles

As with all stroke rehabilitation, the goal is to take advantage of neuroplasticity to retrain the brain to regain as much functioning as possible. Also, as in all stroke cases, it’s essential to begin your stroke rehabilitation as quickly as possible in order to get the best results.

With dedicated effort, some stroke survivors will be able to regain functioning lost to post-stroke paralysis.

The Benefits of Adaptive Equipment

While you are completing your stroke rehabilitation program or if you still experience impairments even after completing it, adaptive equipment can help to replace the muscle functioning that you have lost.

Such equipment may include:

Stroke orthotics or braces to increase strength and movement
Walkers or wheelchairs as mobility aids
Home modification equipment, such as shower grab bars or raised toilet seats to assist with activities of daily living

Consult with your occupational therapist to determine what kind of adaptive equipment can be helpful as you attempt to address stroke-related paralysis.

Adaptive devices like the MyoPro may be covered by insurance. Learn about MyoPro insurance coverage.

The post Adapting to Stroke-related Paralysis appeared first on Myomo.

Communication Strategies for Stroke Survivors and Their Loved Ones

Ian Godzik — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:26:21 +0000

Communication problems after stroke can include difficulty speaking, writing, reading or understanding language. These challenges affect both stroke survivors and their loved ones, but they aren’t insurmountable.

Speech therapy can help stroke survivors overcome some of these communication barriers, while practical strategies can offer some work-arounds when needed.

How Speech Therapy Can Help

If you experience communication difficulties as a result of your stroke, speech therapy can be an important component of your stroke rehabilitation regimen. A speech therapist with expertise in treating stroke survivors can use a number of exercises and strategies to overcome any speech deficits that resulted from the stroke, such as:

Recommending exercises and practices that recover language functioning, including speech, reading and writing
Identifying prompts to help patients remember words
Engaging patients in conversations
Working with caregivers to teach strategies that they can use to enhance communication with the stroke survivor

Speech therapy can take place in the home or even online for a stroke survivor who has difficulty getting to appointments in a traditional outpatient setting. It’s important to note that you’ll only be spending a few hours a week tops with your speech therapist, so you should be diligent about practicing the exercises prescribed by your therapist between those sessions.

Practical Strategies for Improved Communication

While commitment to a speech therapy regimen will help to improve communication skills, stroke survivors and their loved ones won’t see improvements overnight and some deficits may remain even after the course of speech therapy is complete. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of some other strategies that can also help with effective communication.

Face each other when you are speaking
Minimize distractions
Ask your conversation partner to speak clearly and use short sentences
Give the other person adequate time to respond
Take breaks
Incorporate non-verbal forms of communication like facial expressions and hand gestures
Be patient with yourself and your conversation partner

A stroke survivor often can recover most, if not all, of any communication functions lost by the stroke. Be sure to take full advantage of any available speech therapy, and put in the work on your own between sessions too, to maximize your communication function.

The post Communication Strategies for Stroke Survivors and Their Loved Ones appeared first on Myomo.

Tips for Managing Stroke-related Fatigue

Ian Godzik — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:21:54 +0000

Post-stroke fatigue is a common condition that can affect stroke survivors even when they are getting adequate rest. Unlike ordinary tiredness, it may persist despite sleep and can interfere with daily activities, rehabilitation and overall quality of life.

Catching up on your sleep won’t make much of a dent in post-stroke fatigue, so other strategies will be needed. Fortunately, you can take steps to manage it and reduce its effects on your daily routines.

Causes of Post-Stroke Fatigue

Fatigue occurs during stroke recovery for a number of reasons:

Physical: Your body simply expends more energy when it is healing. Additionally, you may be exerting yourself more doing your rehab exercises. Weakness developed as a result of stroke and post-stroke pain can also contribute to fatigue.
Emotional: Fatigue is often associated with depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.
Insomnia: Although sleep alone is rarely the cause of post-stroke fatigue, it can be an instrumental factor. Stroke survivors face a significant likelihood of insomnia and other disorders that prevent them from getting enough sleep.
Nutritional deficits: Patients who can’t chew as well as a result of their stroke may suffer from nutritional deficiencies that affect their energy levels.
Medication side effects: Many medications cause drowsiness that can exacerbate feelings of fatigue.

Managing Post-Stroke Fatigue

Although post-stroke fatigue is frustrating, there are some steps that you can take to improve your energy levels or work more effectively with their natural ebbs and flows. Here are a few suggestions:

Pace yourself and manage your expectations. Get a sense of what you can do in a day and don’t try to push yourself beyond that. Give yourself permission to rest as needed. Don’t judge yourself based on your previous level of functioning and activity.
Be patient. It may take a number of months before you start to see improvement in your fatigue.
Establish a bedtime routine, which can signal to your body that it’s time to sleep and reduce insomnia.
Exercise. It seems counterintuitive, but exercising can actually be a powerful fatigue-fighting tool and boost your energy levels.
Take advantage of assistive technology to reduce your energy expenditures.
Seek support, whether that is in the form of therapy for mental health issues, guidance from your medical team or making your needs known to your loved ones and co-workers so that they know what to expect from you.

If you are experiencing post-stroke fatigue that is interfering with your wellbeing, talk to your doctor to identify some potential solutions that will be useful in your unique case.

The post Tips for Managing Stroke-related Fatigue appeared first on Myomo.

Brain Biology and Stroke

Ian Godzik — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:19:08 +0000

A stroke can affect brain function by damaging areas that control voluntary and involuntary activities. The specific effects depend on the type of stroke and the area of the brain affected, which can influence movement, language, vision, coordination and other functions.

As you move through your stroke recovery, it can be helpful to consider various aspects of brain biology and how they influence the lingering effects from your stroke. Having this knowledge can help you understand your ongoing post-stroke issues and manage your expectations around them.

Types of Strokes

A stroke can result from a number of different issues. These are the major types of strokes that affect most patients:

Ischemic: Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, either by atherosclerosis or by a clot in the blood vessel. This is the most common type of stroke.
Hemorrhagic: Occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, causing severe bleeding in the brain. These strokes are often caused by aneurysms but may also be due to bleeding disorders or malformed blood vessels.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Caused by brief interruptions in blood flow to the brain. These incidents are often referred to as “mini-strokes” and produce temporary stroke symptoms.

How Affected Areas of the Brain Influence Post-Stroke Functioning

In addition to the type of stroke you experience, the location of the stroke dictates the types of post-stroke issues that a stroke survivor experiences. For example, strokes in the following areas of the brain will be associated with specific types of functional impairments:

Frontal lobe: Limitations in executive functioning, such as problem-solving, and personality changes
Parietal lobe: Language issues (difficulty speaking, writing or reading) and spatial understanding
Occipital lobe: Vision issues, such as central vision loss or hallucinations
Cerebellum: Voluntary movement issues like coordination, muscle control and balance difficulties

This is just a small sample of the types of concerns a stroke survivor may encounter. Other factors can influence stroke outcomes too, including the severity of the damage and your level of health prior to the stroke. The affected hemisphere (left brain vs. right brain) can also determine symptoms, as each hemisphere oversees different functions.

Knowledge can be a powerful tool in your stroke recovery. Understanding how your brain has been affected by your stroke will give you a better idea of what to expect from the process and yourself. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or another health provider for any information about brain biology and stroke that might benefit you.

The post Brain Biology and Stroke appeared first on Myomo.