What is Wide-pulse stimulation (WPS)?
Explained by Sean O’Sullivan, Neuro Rehabilitation Trainer at www.neurokinex.org
What is it? Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is frequently used post spinal cord injury (SCI) as it has been shown to increase muscular strength and mass, enhance bone density and assist in improving cardiovascular function. However, this form of stimulation only results in contractions of superficial muscle fibres.
Technology in rehabilitation: what’s out there and how does it stack up?
In today’s digital world, technology has a new role to play in increasing the efficiency of healthcare and reducing costs whilst at the same time ensuring that standards of care are continually being maintained and improved. Whilst innovation is core to healthcare, the field of rehabilitation is lagging behind, with its human and patient centricity making it more challenging to innovate.
But engaging equipment that can track outcomes remotely can support the self-management of rehabilitation and help people reach their rehab goals. Dr Paul Rinne is CEO and co-founder of GripAble, a smart mobile assessment and training device that connects to an app, to help people with upper limb impairment train hand and arm movements.
How smart are your patients? Can you help them to be smarter?
No, I don’t necessarily mean how intelligent are they – nor even if they have so-called SMART goals (Specific Measurable Agreed Realistic Timebound goals). But those are valid questions. If we talk about health outcomes and healthcare in 2021, these are relevant questions. We talk about empowered patients, although some prefer to talk about activated or autonomous patients – does this depend on how smart they are?
Smart can be defined as “in a clever and effective way” (Cambridge), but it can also mean automated and operating as if by human intelligence (Collins) and smart is often interpreted as “automated”. Indeed, this is likely to be a trend but is not to happen widely in 2021 as healthcare is famously cautious in adopting big changes. We will have apps and devices that tell us we are becoming ill before we notice anything different, but that is easier said than done reliably at scale and pace.
Explaining the role of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist
A multidisciplinary team approach to rehabilitation has the patient at its centre. Surrounding that patient is a team whose respective roles and expertise combine to fulfil the best possible rehab outcome.
When people think ‘rehab’ they tend to think ‘physio’ and there is a clear and defined role for these skills. Another key player in the multidisciplinary team contributing to successful rehabilitation from spinal cord injury is the Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
Case Study: Lynda’s Story
Lynda’s story provides an uplifting insight into how neurorehabilitation following a brain injury can have positive, long-lasting effects on an individual’s physical and mental wellbeing. This is even when there is a significant time period between the brain injury occurring and starting rehabilitation.
Lynda was an independent woman who had a job, family and friends. However, she had a history of battling with substance misuse and was at risk to the influence of others. The exposure to these negative influences resulted in her suffering a hypoxic brain injury following an overdose in 2010, from which she remained in a coma for three months. Lynda’s story highlights her dedication and the commitment of the specialist care team at Richardson Care in her rehabilitation journey.
How well do you recall what happened?
For much of 2020 and, indeed, for some years to come we will have discussions and debates about the changes that happened as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. There are already many sad and distressing stories but also some examples emerge where the changes in response to covid-19 had some benefit.
Many years ago, family doctors did clinical visits by going to patient’s homes to see them. There was time to listen patiently and for the family to understand what the doctor explained and for them to contribute any observations that might help with diagnosis and treatment. So there was a degree of collaborative memory and maybe not much discussion of recall error or bias.Getting a grip on making rehab fun
Studies show that the more repetition and strength training a person performs, the greater their chance of restoring movement, and ultimately their independence, following a stroke or neurological condition.
But keeping up with a physical rehabilitation regime when alone, no matter how willing you are, is a grind, but tech holds the key, explains Dr Paul Rinne is CEO and co-founder of GripAble.
Stroke rehabilitation: breaking down barriers
Physical rehabilitation is vital for patients to restore quality of life after stroke and other neurological, orthopaedic and paediatric conditions. No-one knows this better or just how hard it is, than someone who has gone through it.
Kate Allatt suffered a rare, massive brain stem stroke at the age of 39, and then went on to develop locked-in syndrome. Doctors said she’d never walk, talk or be able to use her arms again. But she defied all predictions, and through grit, determination and hard work, walked out of hospital.
Introducing the UK’s newest neuropsychiatric care service
Cygnet Pindar House, in Barnsley, will have 22 beds for men with neurological conditions and acquired brain injuries. It is specifically for those cases which result in challenging behaviour requiring professional support in an appropriate setting. The facility is the latest addition to Cygnet Health Care’s portfolio and has been purpose built to provide a clinically-led, evidence-based neuropsychiatric pathway for service users. With the aim of minimising challenging behaviour while encouraging individuals to maximise their independence, the unit represents a significant step forward in increasing national provision in this highly specialist area of care.
