Northeast Senior Health is the first organization in the nation to implement Myomo, an innovative stroke rehabilitation technology, in the skilled nursing and home care environments. Northeast HomeCare, Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center and Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, all programs of Northeast Senior Health, recently implemented the Myomo System.

Northeast HomeCare is the first home care agency to implement Myomo and Ledgewood and Seacoast are the only skilled nursing facilities to make the technology available. Ten rehabilitation therapists have been certified to use the Myomo system.

The Myomo e100 Neuro-Robotic System enables brain-injured patients to restore movement of paralyzed arms through a patented closed feedback learning mechanism. The robotic arm brace, based on technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), senses muscle signals that indicate deliberate intention to move; and then provides electronically-assisted movement. The process engages both neurological and motor pathways, reinforcing brain-to-body feedback, in such a way that motor function can be re-learned and restored.

Steve Kelly, CEO at Myomo, explains, “Our brains have the capacity to heal. Myomo’s neurorobotic technology is a platform for enabling that healing process. For stroke patients, or those who have experienced neurological episodes that leave them paralyzed, the ability to return to routine daily activities is life-changing.”

Northeast Senior Health/Myomo Partnership Case Studies
One patient, a 58-year-old stroke victim, could not move his paralyzed arm before using Myomo due to weakness and pain. After training with this neuro-robotic device he is able to move his hand from his lap to his mouth without the assistance of any device or person. According to Michele Devlin, physical therapist for Northeast HomeCare, his pain is greatly reduced and he can use the affected arm to support some of his body weight. “It’s very hard as a therapist to know how much help to give. But Myomo knows how to give just enough. And the repetitious movement helps to reestablish the neuro-pathways that were damaged by the stroke. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Mainstream medical knowledge previously asserted that stroke victims had maximized their recovery within the first six months following the episode. Myomo technology has been effective in patients up to 20 years after the stroke. One example of this is a 66-year-old married woman who suffered a stroke five years ago following surgery and, in using the Myomo, is now able to fully open her right hand, and straighten her elbow. She, like the first patient, is also able to now bring her hand to her mouth.

“The Myomo technology opens up a whole new window of recovery and support to patients who may have lost hope,” said Jim Dunne, president and CEO of Northeast Senior Health. “In keeping with Northeast Senior Health’s mission to deliver the latest and most innovative technologies and services to patients on the North Shore, our partnership with Myomo will be important as we continue to help victims of stroke and other neurological conditions recover effectively, both at home and in inpatient settings.”

About Northeast Senior Health
Northeast Senior Health is the North Shore’s largest and most comprehensive elder services continuum, and an affiliate of both Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals. Northeast Senior Health is comprised of Beverly Hospital Lifeline, NortheastLink, the Center for Healthy Aging, North Shore PRN, Northeast HomeCare, Spectrum Adult Day Health Program, The Herrick House, Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center and Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

About Myomo
Myomo develops neuro-robotic technology that helps paralyzed people regain use of their arms. For more information, visit http://www.myomo.com.

Contact
Matt Burke Frances
VP, Communications
Myomo
P:  603-315-0618
E: 

Wetterlow-Thibeault
Director of Marketing
Northeast Senior Health
P:  978-922-7018, ext. 1302
E: