Collaborative clinical trial, funded by U.S. Department of Defense, examines the use of a myoelectric arm orthosis to improve arm functionality in traumatic brain injury patients
Researchers from the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center (NUPOC) and the Cleveland VA Medical Center have presented promising preliminary case reports from a clinical trial that evaluates the effects of the MyoPro myoelectric arm orthosis (powered brace) from Myomo on traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients at the Cleveland VA Medical Center.
The study, which began in 2016 and is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, includes veterans and non-veterans with TBI who have limited arm or hand functionality. Participants in the study received nine weeks of therapy and training with the MyoPro, followed by nine weeks of home use, with intermittent functional evaluations.
The investigators presented interim findings at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Annual Scientific Meeting. They reported that "people with long-standing TBI have improved function when using a wearable myoelectric upper limb orthosis. Among three study subjects, [they] reported a reduction of spasticity and motor impairment as measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale and Fugl-Meyer Assessment, respectively; and one subject's improvement in functional activity, as assessed by the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory," according to a NUPOC bulletin from March 2018.
Based on patented technology developed at MIT, MyoPro is the only wearable myoelectric upper limb orthosis on the market. It is a powered brace that senses a patient's own EMG signals through non-invasive sensors enabling a paralyzed or weakened arm to function. This allows MyoPro users to perform activities of daily living, including feeding themselves, carrying objects and doing household tasks. Many patients are even able to return to work. MyoPro is developed by Myomo (NYSE American: MYO), a wearable medical robotics company.
Qualified veterans may receive MyoPro through U.S. Veterans Administration Medical Centers across the country.
"MyoPro is restoring arm mobility and increased independence to military and civilian TBI patients," said Paul R. Gudonis, Chairman and CEO of Myomo. "The preliminary results of this study are encouraging. They show similar functional improvements in TBI patients as with patients suffering arm and hand impairment from stroke, spinal cord injury, brachial plexus injury and other neuromuscular conditions that we have seen in previous studies and in practice."
For more information on the study visit http://www.nupoc.northwestern.edu/docs/research/orthotics/marchisbraininjuryawarenessmonth_bulletin.pdf.
About Myomo
Myomo, Inc. is a wearable medical robotics
company that offers expanded mobility for those suffering from
neurological disorders and upper limb paralysis. Myomo develops and
markets the MyoPro product line. MyoPro is a powered upper limb orthosis
designed to restore function to the weakened or paralyzed arms of
patients suffering from CVA stroke, brachial plexus injury, traumatic
brain or spinal cord injury, ALS or other neuromuscular disease or
injury. It is currently the only marketed device that, sensing a
patient's own EMG signals through non-invasive sensors on the arm, can
restore an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living,
including feeding themselves, carrying objects and doing household
tasks. Many are able to return to work, live independently and reduce
their cost of care. Myomo is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
with sales and clinical professionals across the U.S. For more
information, please visit www.myomo.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains
forward-looking statements regarding the Company's future business
expectations, including the potential benefits of our product in
increasing or restoring function in its users, and preliminary case
results from the NUPOC and Cleveland VA Medical Center study, which are
subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are only
predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a
variety of factors. Our actual results could differ materially from
those anticipated in these forward looking statements for many reasons,
including, without limitation, risks related to regulatory approval and
market acceptance of our products, and the other risk factors contained
in our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More
information about factors that potentially could affect Myomo's
financial results is included in Myomo's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue
reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of
the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to
revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of
anticipated or unanticipated events.
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