Russians Create New Rehabilitation Device: Hope For Faster Recovery From Stroke

Why does a stroke occur?

A stroke is caused by the sudden death of brain cells in a specific area due to an inadequate blood flow. Without a supply of oxygen created by a flow of blood there can be neither a removal of waste products nor a needed supply of oxygen and nutrients to the area. Brain cells die quickly and depending on which region of the brain is affected, a stroke may cause paralysis, speech impairment, memory loss and reasoning ability, coma or death.

Due to the loss of brain cells, control signals from the brain often cannot reach some muscles, especially in the hand or foot. Without these signals, these the muscles cannot contract adequately, which causes them to become increasingly weaker.

What can this new Russian device do for stroke victims?

According to news sources, Russian medics have developed a device, which is a plantar simulator of a bearing load called “PION.” It works by imitating the “walking process” or “bearing reactions” for bed-ridden patients. The process is quite simple: small round pads, which are pneumatic cells, are fixed onto the patient’s feet. These pads have a life of their own, and they pulse with air and press the patient’s feet. This provides mechanical stimulation for two important areas in the feet; namely, the calcaneal and the metatarsal zones.

How does this device actually help victims of stroke or head injury?

Recovery from stroke has always been multi-disciplinary; that is, involving team of professionals with different skills all working together to help the afflicted patient. These include nursing staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and a physician trained in rehabilitative medicine. The new Russian device is an entire process dominated by a controller, which can alter “walking regimes” according to patient’s requirements and doctor’s prescriptions.

Through exercise, muscles send signals to the brain, which in turn tells muscles to either contract or relax. New neural connections are either thus established or old ones that were lost through stroke or head injury, restored.

What is the future for the new planter simulator created by Russian medics?

For the millions of stroke sufferers and those afflicted by brain injury everywhere in the world, this new planter simulator is a boon that can only lead to faster recovery and happier lives.

Here’s to you, planter simulator and all the good you are destined to do!