The Myomo System (short for ‘My Own Motion’) is initially intended for stroke patients who suffer from severe muscle weakness or loss of voluntary movement of their arm on one side of the body (hemiparesis); and is clinically proven effective from two days to 21 years post stroke. Myomo's technology was originally developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in collaboration with medical experts affiliated with Harvard Medical School.
How Myomo’s Brace Works
Patented EMG (electromyography) control software continuously monitors and senses, but does not stimulate, the affected muscles. The patient self initiates and achieves natural movement patterns by their own muscular signals that indicate intention to move. The system senses even a very weak EMG muscle signal and then processes data to a motor on the device that enables desired motion. This processing occurs so quickly that it is not apparent to the patient. Importantly, EMG-driven robotics requires that patients are actively engaged throughout the therapy session; if they stop, the device stops. No electrical stimulation or invasive procedures are employed.
The Myomo mPower 1000 Neurorobotic System is FDA approved for home or clinical use.
“When there is damage to a part of the brain that controls the movement of an arm, hand, leg, or foot, it may not be possible for that portion to be repaired; however, it is possible for an undamaged area to take over the job of the damaged area,” added Able Place’s Weinstein. “The latest research in stroke recovery reaffirms that repeated movement with an affected limb is the key to regaining its use. The difficultly is that there may be so little movement at the beginning that it is easy for an individual to become frustrated and discouraged and give up.”
That is where robotic therapy such as Myomo’s ‘movement assisting brace’ comes in. Neuro-scientists and engineers have developed devices that detect slight movement, and then increase the movement by providing motorized assistance. The robotic assistance allows a person to perform movements over and over again, sending signals to the brain encouraging it to reprogram or remodel itself, a phenomenon neuro-scientists call “neural plasticity”.