Rehab Power Hour

November 2021

Can a Pneumatic Pump System Help Stroke Survivors?

With Dr. Nick Housley 22nd Nov, 21

There are many types of robotic systems that assist stroke survivors with regaining control over their motor functions. One of those robotic systems is the pneumatic pump system which works as an impedance control mechanism where they can actually clamp someone’s movements in a given range of motion.


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Can You Detect Increases In Range Of Motion With Motus Nova?

With Dr. Nick Housley 19th Nov, 21

Motus Nova uses high-dose repetitive task practice to help you improve the range of motion and strength of the arm. It will also reduce stiffness in muscles that will help in relieving your pain. Further, Motus Nova increases functional capacity and assists you in translating the detected range of motion on Motus Nova into actual tasks.


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What Is Hypertonicity?

With Dr. Nick Housley 19th Nov, 21

Hypertonicity is muscle tightness (increased tone), which makes moving body parts more difficult (resistance to movement). It is caused when parts of the brain find it hard to send the right signals to muscles. For example, the brain may not be able to ‘turn on’ a muscle or may ‘turn on’ a muscle too much.


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8 Years Post Stroke, Strengthening The Ankle And Foot For Walking

With Dr. Nick Housley 17th Nov, 21

Motus Foot provides you with active assistance for functional improvement in stroke recovery. You can improve your walking speed and endurance. Also, it will help you improve your range of motion and strength in your foot and ankle so that you can walk even eight years after the stroke.


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Why Do Passive Motion Devices Not Heal The Brain?

With Dr. Nick Housley 16th Nov, 21

A stroke rehabilitation program may use active and passive motion devices. Passive motion devices assist you in increasing your range of motion without engaging your muscles. However, active motion devices can heal the brain of stroke survivors because they need muscle engagement.


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How To Incorporate The Motus Hand Into Your Rehab Routine

With Dr. Nick Housley 14th Nov, 21

Motus Hand is a relatively tractable and small robotic device for stroke survivors with an actuator in it that can actually contract and relax. Further, you can adjust its orientation according to the stature of your hand by moving the joint segment.


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What does science tell us about the Motus Nova Stroke Rehab System?

With Dr. Nick Housley 13th Nov, 21

Motus Nova stroke rehab system is specifically designed to help stroke survivors increase their motor function in stroke recovery. Motus Nova is data-driven and uses scientifically reviewed evidence. Further, it can detect even the slightest improvement.


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October 2021

Why Does my Hand Curl When I Move into Extension

With Dr. Nick Housley 27th Oct, 21

The brain and neurological system coordinate and govern the movements our muscles perform, and our wrists work on biomechanics. The brain stem, which is located deep within the brain and in the top part of the spinal cord, controls involuntary muscles. The cerebral motor cortex and the cerebellum are the portions of the brain that control voluntary muscles.


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The Importance of Repetitive Task Practice in Stroke Rehab

With Dr. Nick Housley 26th Oct, 21

After a stroke, constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) can enable people to gain back their ability to perform functional tasks, such as lifting a coffee mug, standing up, and sitting. The CIMT basically forces the use of the affected side by restraining the unaffected side of the upper limb.


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Why is Biofeedback Ideal for Stroke Recovery?

With Dr. Nick Housley 5th Oct, 21

Biofeedback plays a significant role in stroke recovery due to the possibility of misinterpretation of visual feedback. You may think you have not made any improvements, but the robotic devices can actually detect even the tiniest progress.


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Can I Regain Function by Practicing Constraint Induced Movement Therapy?

With Dr. Nick Housley 4th Oct, 21

In Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, you perform the specific task, again and again, every day for a certain amount of time. This way, you can actually change the brain by forcing it to recruit neurons and try to figure out an alternate way to move because the damage has been caused by a stroke.


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September 2021

Can The Motus Hand Help Decrease Tone As Arm Strength Increases?

With Dr. Nick Housley 29th Sep, 21

Tone is the natural tension, or contraction, in a muscle that resists stretching. Stroke may cause an abnormal increase in muscle tone, leading to spasticity. Muscle contractions become more intense.


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What is the importance of proper biometric data in recovery?

With Dr. Nick Housley 18th Sep, 21

The proper biometric data is important because it detects even the slightest improvement in your movement and helps you to accelerate stroke recovery. Further, robotic devices and games can give the biometric data of stroke patients.


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What Are The Neurological And Mechanical Components Of Stroke Recovery?

With Dr. Nick Housley 2nd Sep, 21

The stroke recovery process and timeline differ from patient to patient. Neurological and mechanical factors, including age, the severity of the stroke, the degree of rehabilitation, etc., play a role in this process.


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August 2021

How To Transition Into At-Home Stroke Rehab: Improving Coordination & Precision Motor Function

With Dr. Nick Housley 18th Aug, 21

In this discussion, Dr. Housley talks about regaining coordination and improving Precision Motor Function. He also addresses other topics related to at-home rehab.


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Is There A Distinction Between Tissue Damage And Neurological Pain Post-Stroke?

With Dr. Nick Housley 14th Aug, 21

In this discussion, Dr. Nick and Brian discuss the distinction between tissue damage and neurological pain.


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Can Motus Nova Stroke Rehab Reduce Pain After Spinal Cord Injury?

With Dr. Nick Housley 12th Aug, 21

Motus Nova envisions a world where no physical disability goes untreated regardless of access, status, or location. Stroke and brain injuries affect more than 100 million people worldwide. Direct access to clinically-proven therapies and a full recovery are out of reach for most, leading to a lifetime of impairment. Our mission is to deliver high quality neuro-rehabilitation in every home through robotic exoskeletons guided by AI.


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Acute Ischemic Stroke Explained

With Dr. Nick Housley 4th Aug, 21

Ischemic stroke is one of three types of stroke. It’s also referred to as brain ischemia and cerebral ischemia. This type of stroke is caused by a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. The blockage reduces the blood flow and oxygen to the brain, leading to damage or death of brain cells.


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July 2021

Complications Of Pain After Stroke, Discoordination Of Finger Movement

With Dr. Nick Housley 29th Jul, 21

In this discussion, Dr. Housley and Brian discuss having pain post-stroke. The majority of stroke survivors experience some type of pain for a period of time, but the pain usually improves with medical treatment and, after a while, the physical discomfort might improve sufficiently enough that medical treatment is no longer needed. Discoordinated finger movements are also common, this is discussed as well as solutions for this.


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How To Deal With Plateauing In Stroke Recovery, Trying The Technique Of Tasking Composition

With Dr. Nick Housley 29th Jul, 21

As a stroke survivor, you may have heard someone say, “you’re plateauing.” Does this mean that the range of motion and strength you’ve gained have come to an end? Dr. Housley discusses plateauing and how to manage expectations of recovery over time. Also recommended within this video is the technique of tasking composition. Trying breaking down a goal into smaller pieces; for example, a movement such as lifting a coffee cup is much more complex than you think.


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Challenges As A Young Mother Post-Stroke

With Dr. Nick Housley 29th Jul, 21

Stroke is hard for anyone, but especially a new mother. We salute Nadia’s bravery and want to do everything we can to support her.


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How Does The Motus Hand Increase Movement After Stroke If It’s Moving You?

With Dr. Nick Housley 28th Jul, 21

The Motus Hand and Foot are the only FDA Class 1 at-home stroke rehab robots in the world with active assistance. Scientific studies have shown The Motus Hand and Foot induce equivalent functional improvements to those observed with standard clinical care. Motus technology uses high-dose repetitive task practice to induce neuroplasticity to help stroke survivors improve hand and foot function.


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What Is The Timeframe For Seeing Results Using The Motus Hand?

With Dr. Nick Housley 28th Jul, 21

Naditha asks an important question here that does not have a precise answer. Everyone’s recovery is different. It is impossible to predict exactly when one will begin to see substantial results.


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How Do I Use The Motus Hand With Very Limited Movement?

With Dr. Nick Housley 28th Jul, 21

The Motus Hand and Foot are the only FDA Class 1 at-home stroke rehab robots in the world with active assistance. Scientific studies have shown The Motus Hand and Foot induce equivalent functional improvements to those observed with standard clinical care. Motus technology uses high-dose repetitive task practice to induce neuroplasticity to help stroke survivors improve hand and foot function.


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Julia And Dr. Housley Talk About How Motivation For Rehab Affects Long Term Outcomes

With Dr. Nick Housley 27th Jul, 21

Maintaining motivation in post-stroke life is a challenge you must not underestimate. It is important to do everything you can to stay positive, because that will lead to better outcomes.


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How Do I Control My Recovery Post-Stroke And Amplify My Improvement?

With Dr. Nick Housley 27th Jul, 21

In this call, Dr. Housley and Jacqueline talk about her husband’s experience with stroke. Also discussed was the fact that insurance providers are not adequately addressing the needs of stroke survivors.


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Stroke Rehab for Improving Gait

With Dr. Nick Housley 27th Jul, 21

After a stroke, those with impaired lower extremities see improvement at different levels and experience different levels of movement ability.


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Botox And Multi-Modal Approaches For Accelerating Recovery

With Dr. Nick Housley 23rd Jul, 21

Learn about Botox and the importance of allowing for additional areas of therapy after stroke. Your goal should be to layer motor recovery for endogenous (internal) control. Multi-modal approaches are consistently helpful. Multi-modal approaches combine pharmacological and motor recovery.

You will also learn about the importance of coordination and how the Motus Foot also helps with that.


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How To Get The Most Out Of Stroke Rehab?

With Dr. Nick Housley 22nd Jul, 21

In this assessment call, Dr. Housley goes into detail with Shari Clay and performs an assessment, evaluating current progress with the Motus Hand.

Ischemic stroke is one of three types of stroke. It’s also referred to as brain ischemia and cerebral ischemia. This type of stroke is caused by a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. The blockage reduces the blood flow and oxygen to the brain, leading to damage or death of brain cells.

Aphasia is a tragic condition which causes loss of ability to understand or express speech, caused by brain damage.


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The Benefits Of Bimanual Movements In Stroke Rehab

With Dr. Nick Housley 15th Jul, 21

Dr. Housley discusses bimanual movements with the Anson family after an Assessment, which involves using both hands to retrain the brain. When you sign up with Motus Nova, you will receive free assessments like this with Dr. Nick Housley.


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What is the Best Advice for Stroke Survivors?

With Dr. Nick Housley 10th Jul, 21

Brain injuries and especially strokes can impair many motor functions of the patient, and he may not be able to perform even a simple task such as picking up a coffee. Nonetheless, you can regain your lost motor function by performing repetitive tasks practice with patience and persistence.


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February 2021

What is drop foot?

With Dr. Nick Housley 29th Jul, 21

Neural injury and stroke is the leading cause of drop foot that affects dorsiflexion of the ankle. It can cause reduced walking ability in stroke survivors and poor quality of life. However, robotic devices (such as Motus Hand) can help in strengthening the Tibialis Anterior muscle, improving gait velocity, and balance by neural plasticity and relearning motor functions.


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January 2021

What Is Constraint Induced Movement Therapy And Why Should You Try it?

With Dr. Nick Housley and Dr. Steve Wolf 27th Jan, 21

There have been limited studies demonstrating the effectiveness of e-stim devices in improving upper and lower-extremity mobility after a user has completely stopped incorporating the device in their therapy. It is yet to be established if these devices can provide long-lasting, functional changes in persons with profound motor limitations.

With enough dosage of therapy using a mechanical device such as the Hand Mentor, it is possible to increase the active range of motion of your wrist and fingers along with decreasing spasticity in your hand. In other words, your brain can be re-wired and your muscles can be strengthened and trained to a point where you can continue to engage in activities of daily living even if you stop using the device.


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Seeing Rehab Gains Over 10 Years Post-Stroke

With Dr. Nick Housley 20th Jan, 21

Special guest and stroke survivor asks questions about our hand mentor on our Facebook live Rehab Power Hour.


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