Karen Lyman says she knows that she will use her legs again—it’s only a matter of time. Thanks to the RT300 electrical stimulation cycle (STIM bike) at Total Rehab Care, Karen and other therapy patients with paralysis or weakness in their limbs have the opportunity to exercise, even if they don’t have control of the muscles.

The RT300 is a motorized cycle that uses functional electrical stimulation to nerves to create real contractions in muscles that are paralyzed or weak. Patients who have suffered neurological impairment such as stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy are ideal candidates for this therapy.

No matter where a patient is in the recovery process, whether it’s a new diagnosis, or if the patient has suffered for many years, this therapy can be beneficial. For patients with spinal cord injury who have no active movement of their limbs, the goal is specifically to maintain or improve fitness and prevent secondary complications from a sedentary lifestyle. For stroke and brain injury patients who have lost strength or motion of one side of their body, the goal is to regain strength, relax muscle spasms, and improve overall fitness and endurance.  

Benefits
The benefits bring this machine to a patient who hasn’t had the use of their arms or legs are amazing. Because these patients often have a sedentary lifestyle due to their injury, the bike promotes cardiovascular health, increased muscle mass, decreased muscle spasms or tightness, and can help reduce the incidence of secondary health concerns like osteoporosis or cardiac complications.

Patients who suffer from stroke or spinal cord injuries are also at increased risk for poor circulation because they cannot move their arms and/or legs which can lead to skin breakdown. Due to the loss of sensation following a spinal cord injury, stroke, or brain injury, patients are more likely to develop pressure areas because they can no longer feel when they need to shift their weight.

This cycle allows a person who hasn’t been able to exercise to now improve and maintain their general health and physical well being. Cole Ballon suffered a spinal cord injury a few years ago and has been using the STIM bike as part of his therapy regimen. Before his injury at age twenty-one, Cole played collegiate basketball and baseball. Since he was so active before the injury, he was concerned about muscle loss now that he doesn’t have the use of his legs.

Cole highly recommends the STIM bike to others. “I would 100% recommend this bike—if anything just for the health benefits. There are a lot of health benefits to it.” Cole said. He added, “The first time I used it I wasn’t really sure what was going to come out of it. I really enjoyed it because I could feel my muscles and legs getting the workout. I have always had good feeling in my muscles but actually my muscles getting a workout on the bike was really encouraging and I enjoyed it. The bike helped me maintain my muscle mass. It also helps to decrease muscle spasms and helps to improve muscle circulation in my legs.”

How it works
This small and portable piece of equipment was created to mimic a walking or cycling pattern. The patient is hooked up to electrodes that contract the muscles to propel the cycle at a rate that has been specifically determined for their therapy, including levels of intensity and resistance. During the session, patients are strapped onto the cycle and then are able to monitor how far they have ridden, how fast they are cycling, and gains in strength.

Debby Ballon, Cole’s mom, said the therapists are seeing great results from Cole using the STIM bike. “Cole is doing great. He’s getting better day by day…You just know it’s working.”

Karen Lyman suffered a spinal cord injury that compromised the flow of blood to her spine. Karen has had intensive therapy and continues to see improvement in her legs since using the bike. “With the STIM bike your muscles are stimulated for an hour or so. The muscles have come back in my legs. Using this machine has really helped because I had no response previously from my hamstrings but I started to get a response two months ago,” she said. Karen also said the bike has greatly influenced her recovery and helped to maintain her muscles.

One of the benefits of this cycle is that it is programmed to be uniquely responsive to each rider. The machine assists each patient by challenging them as they get stronger, or assisting them when fatigue is detected. The cycle can detect when it might be necessary to shut off if the patient’s muscles are too tired to proceed. And, the cycle can be adjusted to accommodate small children as young as age four to riders like Cole who is who is 6'8".

Karen said, “The bike has a backup motor on it so if you aren’t able to do the work it will keep going for you. At first I used the bike for fifteen minutes with the back-up motor.” At sixty-two years old, Karen now bikes more than twelve miles without the back-up during her one-hour sessions. “It’s a great lower body workout,” she said.

The machine is also hooked up to the Internet to allow the patient and therapist to monitor progress and optimize results. The results from each session are saved and can help patients see how they are progressing.

Karen plans to continue her STIM bike therapy to someday walk again with her grandchildren. “They have told me I will have more recovery and I’m still looking for more recovery. I still have to talk to my hamstring when I want it to do this or the quad to do that but it does become automatic after a while,” she said.

Pat Caincross started therapy a year and a half ago after a stroke but just recently started to use the STIM bike. “After my stroke, I wasn’t getting the use of my right leg back. They suggested that I use the STIM bike to gain more mobility in my leg and ankle. I was willing to try anything and it sounded like a wonderful experience” Pat said.

After more than two months on the bike, Pat has gone from using a wheelchair, to a walker, to a cane, and walking with a limp. “I think it’s wonderful! People are telling me that they can see an improvement in my walking.” Pat uses the bike to pedal ten miles, three times a week. “I’m sixty-nine years old, so for me to go ten miles is a pretty good work out. It’s a great, great therapy option for people.”

Using the bike at Total Rehab Care
More than twenty-five patients have used this therapy at Total Rehab Care in the past year. The true benefit is that half of these patients have been able to continue to cycle even after their one-on-one therapy is completed. And, through Total Rehab Care’s wellness program, patients are able to pay a monthly fee and use the STIM bike two to three times each week.

An amazing part of this treatment approach is that all neurologically impaired patients can benefit. It’s an excellent way to aid the recovery of motor function following a neurological impairment. Many patients who have been wheelchair-bound for years are able to cycle for forty-five to sixty minutes and ride six to eight miles within the first few sessions. This therapy is not appropriate for patients who have pacemakers, fractures, or open wounds.

Because of the evidence-based research, many insurance companies cover this state-of-the-art therapy with a doctor’s order. Patients who have an interest in this therapy can set up an appointment for evaluation. For more information about STIM bike therapy, please call Judy Peck at Total Rehab Care at 301-714-4025.

Learn more about STIM bike therapy by listening to this Health Matters podcast featuring Judy Peck, PTA of Total Rehab Care.

5.26.2009

Rehabilitation after Spinal Cord Injury or Stroke

Judy Peck, PTA

23:04 5.54mb