For many stroke survivors, regaining hand and arm function after experiencing post-stroke spasticity can be an incredibly difficult and frustrating journey. Traditional treatments like Botox injections or oral medications can offer temporary relief, but often come with side effects and inconvenience. But what if a new, non-invasive wearable technology could offer relief and promote lasting recovery? Meet the VTS Glove.
This wireless, glove-like device uses high-frequency vibrations to provide targeted therapeutic tactile stimulation to the hand and fingers. It is designed for daily, at-home use, allowing survivors to incorporate rehabilitation into their daily lives for approximately three hours a day. It's been proven in trials to lead to significant reductions in spasticity and hypertonia in the hands of chronic stroke survivors and has been shown to allow survivors to regain greater control and use of their affected hand.
A patient at the University of Southampton, who was unable to move his hand for eight years after his stroke, was able to move it again with the help of a similar device, calling the experience ‘breathtaking.’
Since it can be used at home, the glove offers a more accessible and less disruptive therapy option compared to frequent clinic visits for injections or other treatments. Some participants in clinical trials reported voluntarily reducing or stopping their oral muscle relaxants or Botox injections, relying instead on the VTS Glove for symptom relief.
www.arni.uk.com
#ARNI #ARNIStrokeRehab #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeRecovery #VTSGlove #NeuroRehab #StrokeSurvivor #PhysicalTherapy #WearableTech #MedicalInnovation #Spasticity #HealthTech
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Reaching for a high-intensity, high-repetition recovery from your stroke? 🧠💪 Bring on the Novint Falcon haptic device.
Post-stroke recovery hinges on neuroplasticity; the brain's ability to reorganise itself to compensate for injury. Intensive, repetitive, and task-specific training is key to driving this process. The Novint Falcon, a cost-effective, commercially available haptic device, leverages virtual reality (VR) to provide a potent platform for this type of rehabilitation. By simulating a sense of touch, weight, and friction, it creates a more immersive and effective therapeutic environment.
In the picture of the Novint Falcon haptic device, it can be seen mounted with one of the first 3D Touch devices with haptic feedback for computer games. The idea is that you would physically FEEL objects and events in games.
Studies have shown that haptic-enhanced VR training can significantly improve fine motor functions, hand grasping abilities, and coordination in stroke survivors, even those in the chronic stage. The device's ability to simulate tasks like handwriting and object manipulation provides a realistic, low-cost training tool.
By integrating gamified tasks, the Novint Falcon increases patient motivation and engagement. The engaging nature of the exercises promotes higher repetition and longer training sessions, which are crucial for optimal recovery. Its relatively low cost makes it a strong candidate for at-home rehabilitation. Combining it with a smartphone and a custom application allows for frequent, unsupervised practice, extending the reach of therapy beyond the clinic! 🚀
www.ar#strokerehabt#neuroplasticityp#haptictechnologyT#strokerecoveryk#occupationaltherapyn#medtechy#robotics #vrinrehab##neuroscienceu#Research #physicaltherapycalTherapy
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How has hard work and high-intensity therapy made a difference in your recovery journey? 👇
Supporters of ARNI Stroke Rehab board on Facebook know all too well that strokes are life-altering, but recovery must a journey paved with hard work and determination! 🧠💪 The latest evidence in neurorehabilitation shows that passive therapy isn't enough. The real magic happens with high-intensity, high-repetition training ✨ Active participation is key because you have to actively engage your brain's learning networks for the best results. The more you do, the stronger those neural connections become.
Challenge yourself! Higher intensity exercises push your brain to rewire and recover faster. This isn't just about movement; it's about neuroplasticity! 💥 Your brain is amazing at rewiring itself, and intense, repetitive training gives it the boost it needs. So, let's celebrate every rep, every challenging session, and every small vi#arni!#ARNIstrokerehabo#strokerecoveryr#strokesurvivore#neurorehabt#strokerehabilitationha#EvidenceBasedMedicinen #EvidenceBasedMedicine
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We know that plasticity can make crucial adjustments to the way information flows round your brain, creating new connections between neurons. Plasticity can be harnessed to work for you, or allowed ultimately to work against you as your brain recovers and adapts to the situation. You have the capability, right here, right now to work with your incredible, constantly changing brain. Understanding that you are directly affecting your own neural rewiring by the things you do will change your perspective on every exercise that you instigate from now on.
www.arni.uk.com
#neuroplasticity #neurorehab #ARNIstrokerehab #strokerecovery #strokerehab #strokeexercise #strokerehabilitation #ARNIstrokerehab
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We all know that if we can’t walk around properly, it significantly impacts on our independence. Recent research highlights the effectiveness and safety of the ReWalk ReStore™ soft robotic exosuit for improving walking ability in stroke survivors. This innovative device is revolutionising gait training by providing targeted, active assistance to the affected ankle, helping to overcome common mobility challenges.
It consists of an actuator assembly, calf wrap assembly, and shoe insole. A power supply is integrated into the actuator assembly. Bowden cables span these components to transmit assistive forces generated by the actuator to the ankle. One of the cables is located anterior to the ankle and the other is located posterior to the ankle. When the anterior cable is retracted, an ankle dorsiflexion torque is produced. When the posterior cable is retracted, an ankle plantarflexion torque is produced.
The ReStore is uniquely designed to assist both the dorsiflexion (lifting the foot) and plantarflexion (pushing off) actions of the ankle, which are crucial for ground clearance and propulsion during walking. By synchronising its assistance with the patient's own movement, it helps retrain proper gait mechanics.
A multi-site clinical trial found that after just five days of training with the ReStore, participants saw clinically meaningful increases in both their device-assisted and unassisted walking speeds. Some patients achieved even larger gains in a short period. The trial also confirmed the exosuit's safety and reliability when used under the supervision of a physical therapist. No device-related falls or serious adverse events were reported, and users reported high satisfaction with the device.
The ReStore's active assistive approach can probably offer a more advanced solution compared to passive devices like AFOs. It helps retrain and re-engage muscles, rather than simply bracing the ankle.
www.arni.uk.com
#ARNI #ARNIStrokeRehab #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeRehab #ReWalkReStore #SoftRobotics #Neuroplasticity #PhysicalTherapy #ResearchUpdate #EvidenceBasedPractice #GaitTraining #StrokeRecovery #AssistiveTechnology
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Approximately 40% of stroke survivors experience this difficulty: to comprehend or produce spoken or written language caused by a cerebrovascular accident. In half of these cases the language impairment still persists one year post-stroke. Aphasia has wide-ranging effects on the ability to function and quality of life of stroke survivors and easily leads to social isolation.
If you need help, ARNI SLT Telerehab can now help YOU, right now, wherever you are in the world!
The latest evidence shows clearly that you can conquer aphasia very successfully with the help of speech and language therapy.
And it also shows that SLT Telerehab is just as effective as in-person, face to face treatment.
We have a team of highly experienced low-cost specialist SLTs (all post-grads from Universities such as UCL, the University of Cape Town etc) who are available to help you right now, in your home, via Zoom. You get a one to one hourly service, based around your diary needs, from the comfort of your own home, with a highly experienced specialist speech and language therapist. Please enquire to arni.uk.com/get-remote-speech-language-help-now/ !
#aphasia #strokesurvivors #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #strokerehab #aphasiaawareness #neurorehabilitation #arni #exerciseafterstroke #strokeexercise #strokerecoveryexercises #neuroplasticity #ARNIstrokerehab
www.arni.uk.com
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The Best Stroke Rehab Tech of 2025 🧠🦾✨ The Vivistim Paired VNS System is leading the charge as one of the most exciting neurorehabilitation technologies of this year. This system combines Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) with intensive task-specific therapy to drive neuroplasticity and deliver sustained, clinically significant improvements in chronic stroke survivors with moderate-to-severe upper extremity deficits.
The system delivers brief pulses of stimulation to the vagus nerve during a therapist-guided rehabilitation session. This pairing enhances the brain's natural ability to reorganize neural circuits, reinforcing the connections needed for regaining arm and hand function, acting as a powerful reinforcement signal to the brain.
Recent findings published in the last 2025 issue of Stroke validated the long-term effectiveness of the therapy. One year after completing the protocol, survivors maintained significant and clinically meaningful improvements in motor function, activity, participation, and quality of life.
The VNS-REHAB trial demonstrated proven efficacy: that stroke survivors receiving paired VNS therapy had improvements in hand and arm function that were two to three times greater than those who received conventional rehabilitation alone.
For us stroke survivors, who are often told that recovery potential plateaus, the Vivistim system could offer new hope for regaining independence in daily tasks. The tech is safe, well-tolerated, and is gaining significant adoption within comprehensive stroke centres. For clinicians, it represents an evidence-based tool for expanding the therapeutic options available for chronic stroke rehabilitation.
www.arni.uk#arni##ARNIstrokerehabR#strokerecoveryo#strokesurvivorvi#strokerehabR#vivistimi#neuroplasticityi#neurorehabilitationa#physicaltherapye#occupationaltherapye#strokerecoveryo#EvidenceBasedPracticectice
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Trying to cope with a flaccid left or right upper limb after stroke can be incredibly challenging – and it impacts daily life in so many ways. The lack of voluntary movement and feeling affects everything from simple self-care to safety and emotional well-being.
Everyday life challenges with a flaccid arm include simple tasks like putting on a shirt, buttoning, or sipping become difficult or impossible with one hand. Finding comfortable clothes that are easy to manage is a constant struggle. Holding cutlery, cutting food, or even bringing a drink to the mouth can require new adaptive strategies and assistive devices.
Without muscle tone, the arm and shoulder are vulnerable to injury, pain, and subluxation. Proper positioning with pillows, trays, or specialised slings is essential for preventing pain and further damage. The affected arm can feel like a heavy, lifeless weight, especially when walking, which can also affect balance and increase fatigue.
Some survivors experience sensory changes like numbness or a tingling sensation, which can lead to a lack of awareness of the limb's position. This increases the risk of accidental injury, like pinching the skin or getting the arm caught.
We know at ARNI that it's a natural tendency to compensate by relying on the unaffected arm, which can lead to learned non-use of the affected arm over time but Tom, who had flaccidity for a long time himself knows that we've GOT to fight against this at every conscious moment. To help, ARNI stroke rehab system includes a myriad of techniques to target flaccidity decline in action control over reach, grasp and release.
Online login to ARNI video 5 of 7 shows some of these especially, as does vids 4&6.
www.strokesolutions.co.uk/product/successful-stroke-survivor-dvd-volume-5/ 💖
#ARNI #ARNIStrokeRehab #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeRecovery #UpperLimbFlaccidity #StrokeAwareness #OccupationalTherapy #PhysicalTherapy #Neuroplasticity #Rehabilitation #LifeAfterStroke
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Studies have concluded that arm cycling is a useful tool for rehabilitation. They found that muscle force and the range of active movement (shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and elbow extension) can be increased significantly.
Have you tried an arm cycle?
www.arni.uk.com
#strokerehab #strokerecovery #neuroplasticity #strokerehabilitation #ARNIstrokerehab #neurorehab #strokeexercise #strokearmrehab
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Neuromodulatory non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques are experimental therapies for improving motor function after stroke. The aim of neuromodulation is to enhance adaptive or suppress maladaptive processes of post-stroke reorganisation. However, results on the effectiveness of these methods, which include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Â are mixed. It’s posited that recent developments in NIBS technology will likely contribute to individualised therapy. Moving beyond single-area stimulation, targeting specific muscle groups that play different roles in post-stroke motor recovery (for example, finger flexors vs. extensors) may well be possible using multi-locus TMS. NIBS in stroke faces a challenge reminiscent of the development of other stroke therapies, such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, where early studies were largely mixed before patient selection and individualising protocols were refined to determine its therapeutic potential.
During sessions, you will watch a nature documentary while having very weak brain stimulation. Brain stimulation feels like a warm, tingling sensation on your head.
Ms. Jenny Lee
11 Comments
I would be very grateful if I could be included in your study. I had a stroke in 2014 which left me with left-sided stiffness, dropped left foot which affects my walking ability and a non-functional left arm and closed fisted left hand
Hi I’m 36 and have had a massive stroke but can walk but not much upper limb movement and I would like to be considered for this trial
Sorry about all the grammar and spelling errors.looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi Roger
I apologise for the delay replying. The ReCAPS Study was on hold during lockdown, but is now up and running again.
If you are still interested in taking part, please send us your contact details.
We can be contacted via by email (carys.evans@ucl.ac.uk), by phone 0203 4488 774 or through our website.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Carys
I I would be more than intsrested to take part.I look forward to take part looking forward to your response,regards,Roger Humphreys.
following a massive stroke in 2015
I have significant paralysis of upper left arm, unfortunately I developed epilepsy afterwards, now fully controlled by medication, but would be interested to help with your study, if appropriate.
Regards
Andrew
Hi Andrew
Thank you for your message, and sorry for the delay. The ReCAPS Study was on hold during lockdown, but is now up and running again.
If you are still interested in taking part, please send us your contact details and we would be happy to discuss further.
We can be contacted via by email (carys.evans@ucl.ac.uk), by phone 0203 4488 774 or through our website.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Carys
Massive stroke October 2018 age 46, left side paralysis, I can walk, do have some arm movement back but not all, I would definitely be interested if possible?
Hi Michelle
Sorry for the late reply. The ReCAPS Study was on hold during lockdown, but is now up and running again.
If you are still interested in taking part, please send us your contact details and we would be happy to discuss further.
We can be contacted via by email (carys.evans@ucl.ac.uk), by phone 0203 4488 774 or through our website.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Carys
I completed upper -limb Programme
In 2019 ,found it really helped also took part in
(Ang s) research )
If you feel this would be beneficial to me
Please keep me posted
I at present still under
Queens Square
Re
(F E S) for lower limb
Thank you
Astonight Trundle
Hi Aston
Thank you for your message. I apologise for the delay replying. The ReCAPS Study was on hold during lockdown, but is now up and running again.
If you are still interested in taking part, please let us know.
We can be contacted via by email (carys.evans@ucl.ac.uk), by phone 0203 4488 774 or through our website.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Carys