[VIDEO] Sex and Intimacy After TBI – 1

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life people experience after brain injury, and bringing the promise of a better tomorrow. Our mission is to support and advocate for individuals affected by brain injury and raise public awareness through education and prevention. Our vision is a world where all individuals with brain injury and their caregivers maximize their quality of life, the consequences of all unavoidable brain injuries are minimized and all preventable brain injuries are prevented.

Learn more at http://www.bianj.org

[VIDEO] What stem cells do for a body

In this stem cell documentary are explained what diseases can be treated with stem cells: http://bit.ly/378mJ4G Stem cells are useful, because they can sense the body’s own unique needs, target the problematic area and repair it. Another benefit is that the cells used during a procedure come from patient’s own body, meaning there can be no side effects or rejection. Because stem cells are already a part of human repair system naturally, it is only logical that when they are enriched and its number enlarged, they can help the body more. This treatment can be useful and improve quality of life for patients suffering from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, autism, Alzheimer disease, stroke and many others.

Body cells and stem cells

All parts of human body are made of cells, and human body has many different kinds of cells. In humans there is about 200 different cell types, and about 20 different types of structures.

These groups of different types of cells makes organs in human body such as: heart, liver, brain etc. Also cells distributed in organs, have different, specialized jobs to do. Cells can do same job and process of healing and can combines together form body tissue (that can be muscle, tissue) or bone tissue (usually bone marrow).

Stem cells like other cells, can die. Process of healing died or damaged stem cells can be done in many ways. For example when a skin cell dies, stem cell will take its place by transforming into it. This process of renewing damaged or died cells, can be done with new stem cells obtained from bone marrow or adipose tissue.

There are big difference in therapy processes between treatment with adipose stem cells than performing a bone marrow extraction.

Obtaining Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) is much easier and less invasive than performing a bone marrow extraction. In addition, adipose tissue contains much larger volumes of mesenchymal stem cells than bone marrow does.

What stem cells do for a body:

00:35 Why are stem cells useful

1:00 Stem cells are powerful

1:42 During the treatment, a patient receives 200 – 300 million stem cells.

What diseases can be treated with stem cells: http://www.startstemcells.com/what-di…

Subscribe to Swiss Medica official channel https://goo.gl/6yOeBt

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[WEB] Discover the C-Brace: The Revolution in Orthotics

The C-Brace stands as the pioneering mechatronic Stance and Swing Phase Control Orthosis (SSCO®) system in the world. It skillfully combines hydraulic control of both stance and swing phases with advanced microprocessor sensor technology. Unlike traditional paralysis orthoses, which only offer knee joint locking and releasing, the C-Brace delivers continuous support throughout the entire gait cycle, adjusting in real-time to various daily activities.

Key Highlights of the C-Brace:

• Unparalleled Innovation: As the only intuitive Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (KAFO) of its kind, the C-Brace stands out from alternatives that require more effort and manual intervention for daily use.
• Adaptive and Responsive: The C-Brace uniquely learns and adapts to your patients’ movements, offering unmatched stability and confidence in their everyday activities.
• Hands-Free Mobility: With its groundbreaking technology, the C-Brace allows users complete hands-free mobility across various actions – be it walking, sitting, standing, or navigating stairs and ramps.

Empirical Evidence of Efficacy (2023 Study):

• Enhanced Balance: Users experienced a notable 20% improvement in balance with the C-Brace, compared to conventional KAFOs.
• Substantial Fall Reduction: A significant 73% decrease in falls was observed, markedly reducing users’ fear of falling.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Participants reported marked enhancements in 5 out of 9 quality of life areas, including a 50% increase in Physical Functioning, as per the global quality of life assessment.
• Reduced Dependence on Walking Aids: The study noted a considerable decrease in the need for walking aids during everyday activities.

For more comprehensive clinical data, download the C-Brace Evidence Essentials here.

Tailored for Individual Needs:

Each C-Brace is meticulously crafted to fit the unique anatomical requirements and specific conditions of the patient. This personalized approach ensures an optimal fit and function, involving several steps for evaluation and fitting for each potential user.

Identifying Suitable Candidates:

Our comprehensive list of indications assists in pinpointing the ideal candidates for the C-Brace. If you have a patient who might benefit from this innovative orthosis, please use the link below to request more information and arrange an in-person demo.

For Medical Professionals:

If you’re a healthcare professional seeking detailed information, please complete the form below and a dedicated Ottobock representative will contact you to provide personalized assistance.

Who is the C-Brace for?

Cognitive requirements

• The patient must be capable of ensuring the proper handling, care, and use of the orthosis (e.g. charging the battery, operating the user app, etc.)

Functional deficit

• Neuromuscular or orthopedic instability of the knee joint in the sagittal plane diagnosis (by the physician)

Has one or more of the following conditions:

• Quadricep weakness
• Charcot Marie Tooth Syndrome (CMT)
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Polio
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Hip/Knee/Ankle Injury
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• Stroke victim
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Paraplegic
• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
• Transverse/Partial Myelitis
• Neuro Lyme Disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

Disclaimer: Not all people with one or more of these conditions will be a candidate for C-Brace but should still be considered.

Indications:

The C-Brace may be considered for patients with all neurologic conditions resulting in paresis or paralysis of the knee extensors, or orthopedic conditions in which the quadriceps fail to keep the knee extended during stance phase who do not present any of the contraindications. The leading indications are incomplete paraplegia with very minor or no spasticity, as well as post-polio syndrome, the condition following poliomyelitis.

Other factors to consider:

• The patient must be able to fully stabilize their torso.
• The muscle strength of their hip extensors and flexors must permit controlled swing-through of the affected leg.
• Compensatory hip movement is permissible.
• The patient must fulfill the physical and mental requirements for perceiving optical/acoustic signals and/or mechanical vibrations.

Contraindications:

• Inability to advance the limb through compensatory motion or grade 3 hip flexor
• Insufficient trunk stability
• Moderate to severe spasticity
• A flexion contraction of more than 10° in the knee and/or hip joint
• Genu varus/valgus of more than 10° that cannot be corrected
• Body weight > 275 lbs.
• Leg length discrepancy > 6 in.

Videos

C-Brace Playlist – Therapy Exercises

Life with the C-Brace

Hannah

Melvin

Wolfgang

C-Brace Gait Comparison Videos

David

Denise

Heike

Melvin

Rebecca

Source

[Video] Fascinating TEDx Talk discusses how everyone has a part to play in making AT accessible and equitable for all

Sarah Sarsby 

Pascal Bijleveld, CEO of ATscale, recently delivered an eye-opening TEDx Talk about the transformative power of assistive technology in improving lives but how access to such devices is not equitable worldwide.

Pascal joined ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, as its first CEO in November 2021. ATscale is a cross-sector global partnership with a mission to transform people’s lives through assistive technology (AT). It has an ambitious goal to ensure that 500 million people in low- and middle-income countries get the transformative assistive technologies they need by 2030.

ATscale’s bold goal is based on the most recent figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), which reveal almost one billion people globally who need assistive technology are denied access.

The shocking disparity between the number of people needing assistive technology and those who have access to such necessary devices formed the basis of Pascal’s powerful TEDx Talk. His presentation is titled ‘Unlocking Potential: The Transforming Power of Assistive Technology’.

At the start of his presentation, he explained how many people rely on assistive technology, potentially without realising, including glasses, wheelchairs, hearing aids, walking sticks, and captioning on smartphones.

He said: “In Europe, things function pretty well because most people who need assistive technology can access it, sometimes free of charge, or it is covered by your health insurance or social benefits. We don’t think twice about it.

“But imagine a world where that is not the reality or where access to assistive technology is not so straightforward. Just imagine if you walk up to your bus in the morning and the bus driver says ‘Sorry I can’t take you to work today. I broke my glasses, and there’s no replacement’.”

Pascal mentioned his own reliance on glasses to easily do things, such as drive, go to the cinema, and even finish school. He noted how assistive devices are vital for children to live independently, whether it is getting out and about, socialising, going to school, or getting a job.

However, he pointed out that a lack of access to crucial assistive technology is sadly a reality for millions worldwide. This lack of access is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, where it can be as low as three percent.

“That inequity is unacceptable in today’s world,” Pascal said. “AT is a basic human right. It’s a moral imperative that we have to address this inequity today. We’re failing millions of people.”

He said that this assistive technology inequity is due to several reasons, including a lack of awareness and understanding, stigma, governments not delivering on commitments, devices being too expensive, a lack of available financing options, not enough human resources, insufficient supply chains, and more.

To meet ATscale’s bold goal, Pascal underlined that users, organisations of people with disabilities, governments, the private sector, innovators, investors, and academic research institutions all need to come together, agree on a common goal, and put their resources behind it.

Importantly, Pascal emphasised that everyone has a role to play in ensuring inclusive access to assistive technology.

He remarked. “Talk to your family, talk to your friends, talk to your colleagues, express your outrage on social media, ask your local politicians what they’re doing about this. In your workplace or in your schools, make sure that the environments are inclusive, are accessible, and have the needs of assistive technology are being catered for.

“AT cuts across all sectors: health, education, the environment, livelihoods, humanitarian responses, and conflict. If you’re working in any of those spaces, make sure that the programmes are inclusive and that the needs of assistive technology are being planned for.”

Pascal Bijleveld, CEO of ATscale, recently delivered an eye-opening TEDx Talk about the transformative Η δύναμη της υποστηρικτικής τεχνολογίας στη βελτίωση της ζωής, αλλά πώς η πρόσβαση σε τέτοιες συσκευές δεν είναι δίκαιη παγκοσμίως.

Pascal joined ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, as its first CEO in November 2021. ATscale is a cross-sector global partnership with a mission to transform people’s lives through assistive technology (AT). It has an ambitious goal to ensure that 500 million people in low- and middle-income countries get the transformative assistive technologies they need by 2030.

ATscale’s bold goal is based on the most recent figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), which reveal almost one billion people globally who need assistive technology are denied access.

The shocking disparity between the number of people needing assistive technology and those who have access to such necessary devices formed the basis of Pascal’s powerful TEDx Talk. His presentation is titled ‘Unlocking Potential: The Transforming Power of Assistive Technology’.

At the start of his presentation, he explained how many people rely on assistive technology, potentially without realising, including glasses, wheelchairs, hearing aids, walking sticks, and captioning on smartphones.

He said: “In Europe, things function pretty well because most people who need assistive technology can access it, sometimes free of charge, or it is covered by your health insurance or social benefits. We don’t think twice about it.

“But imagine a world where that is not the reality or where access to assistive technology is not so straightforward. Just imagine if you walk up to your bus in the morning and the bus driver says ‘Sorry I can’t take you to work today. I broke my glasses, and there’s no replacement’.”

Pascal mentioned his own reliance on glasses to easily do things, such as drive, go to the cinema, and even finish school. He noted how assistive devices are vital for children to live independently, whether it is getting out and about, socialising, going to school, or getting a job.

However, he pointed out that a lack of access to crucial assistive technology is sadly a reality for millions worldwide. This lack of access is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, where it can be as low as three percent.

“That inequity is unacceptable in today’s world,” Pascal said. “AT is a basic human right. It’s a moral imperative that we have to address this inequity today. We’re failing millions of people.”

He said that this assistive technology inequity is due to several reasons, including a lack of awareness and understanding, stigma, governments not delivering on commitments, devices being too expensive, a lack of available financing options, not enough human resources, insufficient supply chains, and more.

To meet ATscale’s bold goal, Pascal underlined that users, organisations of people with disabilities, governments, the private sector, innovators, investors, and academic research institutions all need to come together, agree on a common goal, and put their resources behind it.

Importantly, Pascal emphasised that everyone has a role to play in ensuring inclusive access to assistive technology.

He remarked. “Talk to your family, talk to your friends, talk to your colleagues, express your outrage on social media, ask your local politicians what they’re doing about this. In your workplace or in your schools, make sure that the environments are inclusive, are accessible, and have the needs of assistive technology are being catered for.

“AT cuts across all sectors: health, education, the environment, livelihoods, humanitarian responses, and conflict. If you’re working in any of those spaces, make sure that the programmes are inclusive and that the needs of assistive technology are being planned for.”

Watch the full TEDx Talk below.

[VIDEO] Understanding and Managing Spasticity in Poststroke Rehabilitation

Harmony Sierens, MD

The medical director of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Ascension Genesis Hospital talked about the management of poststroke spasticity and highlighted the importance of awareness, education, and early intervention. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

WATCH TIME: 5 minutes

https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.609.1_en.html#goog_308621131PlayMute

“Spasticity is a word that most people have never heard of, but it means it’s a stiffness in the muscle—a velocity-dependent resistance to movement. With poststroke spasticity, you have to stretch. It is your medicine that you cannot miss and you have to take every day. Educating patients about potential poststroke spasticity and closely monitoring its development are crucial, as spasticity can manifest in diverse ways impacting individuals’ daily lives.”

Poststroke spasticity, a common complication, is associated with other signs and symptoms of the upper motor neuron syndrome, including agonist/antagonist co-contraction, weakness, and lack of coordination. These symptoms combined may result in impairments and functional issues that can predispose to costly complications for patients seeking treatment. According to a review previously published in Stroke, researchers suggest that the goal of managing poststroke spasticity should not only consider the reduction of muscle hypertonia but also the impact of the condition on function and well-being.¹

Treatment interventions recommended by clinicians for patients with poststroke spasticity typically focus on peripheral and central strategies, including physical techniques to increase muscle length like stretching and pharmacological modulation. Despite limited comparative studies on the superiority of one method over another for poststroke spasticity, researchers have found that optimal management involves a combined and coordinated compendium of therapies.¹ These combined recommendations for care encompass cost-effective pharmacological and surgical interventions as well as rehabilitative efforts for patients.

Harmony Sierens, MD, a physiatrist, recently sat down in an interview with NeurologyLive® to discuss how spasticity manifests poststroke, and why early awareness and education is essential for patients. Sierens, who also serves as the medical director at Ascension Genesis Inpatient Rehab Unit, spoke about the role that stretching plays in the management of poststroke spasticity, and why it is considered a crucial component of treatment. Additionally, she talked about how healthcare professionals effectively monitor and intervene early in cases of spasticity after brain or spinal cord injuries.

REFERENCES
1. Francisco GE, McGuire JR. Poststroke spasticity management. Stroke. 2012;43(11):3132-3136. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.639831

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[VIDEO] Post Stroke Foot Dorsiflexion: Using Electrical Stimulation to Reduce Tone & Promote Plasticity – YouTube

Further reading on electrophysiology and muscle contractions: https://strokesciences.com/post-strok…

StrokeSciences.Com

[VIDEO] Regaining hand movement after brain damage – YouTube

Raising the arm can be difficult to relearn after damage to the brain or the spinal cord. However, most people do not want to start there. Most people would prefer to start with the hand in an effort to get back to doing all the necessary skills (activities of daily living) without assistance.

In this video I will explain the best way to regain arm and hand movement

Video for shoulder exercises:    • The BEST shoulder exercises to lift a…  

Video on understanding spasticity:    • Movement Retraining while dealing wit…  

[VIDEO] Armeo®Spring Pro : Taking upper limb rehabilitation to the next level – YouTube

Meet Deborah Knechtle, the Head of Therapy at VAMED Rehazentrum Zurich, a trusted expert in the field of therapy. Learn her perspective on the Armeo therapy and how it can help patients like Agnes. Get to know about the power of TrueG first-hand from the inventor – Adrian Moser of Hocoma

[VIDEO] How video games can aid stroke recovery with Professor Janet Eyre | Wellcome

Strokes frequently damage the area of the brain controlling movement; as a consequence, there are thousands of people with weakness down one side of their body. This has a major impact on their lives because everyday activities require two hands. The brain can relearn control of the weak arm, but this needs frequent therapy over many months. There are not enough therapists to provide this on a one-to-one basis and fewer than 20% of patients regain independence after a stroke. Professor Janet Eyre and her team at the University of Newcastle have developed a library of video games to be played at home, which provide highly motivating therapy for relearning arm and hand movements. The aim of the project is to analyse information about patients’ performance of arm and hand movements during video games in order to provide feedback to the patient and their therapist via the internet. This will enable effective rehabilitation of arm and hand movements to be delivered at home at times and places to suit patients, whilst still maintaining expert supervision from a therapist. The need for hospital visits will be greatly reduced, patients will have the opportunity to undertake more frequent therapy sessions, therapists will be able to supervise more patients and patients should regain greater independence.

A film made in collaboration with Barry J Gibb

[VIDEO] Tips to improve memory

Marissa Russell, MS, CCC-SLP | Dementia, Alzheimer’s

Memory is the term given to the structures and processes in our brains involved in the storage and subsequent retrieval of information – and it’s essential to our lives.

However, there are many reasons that our memory may not seem what it was before. Issues may be observed after stroke, brain injury, or a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, or Mild Cognitive Impairment, or even as a result of normal aging. And while it can be very frustrating, there are some science-based strategies that can help improve memory. In this 5 minute video, Constant Therapy clinician, Marissa Russell, MS, CCC-SLP, walks us through some simple techniques you can use to improve memory.

Watch the video now.