myomo Launches myomo@home Program
Cambridge, Massachusetts – August 9, 2010 – Myomo, Inc., the developer of neuro-robotic stroke rehabilitation technology, has launched myomo@home, a program that enables stroke survivors to purchase the Myomo System directly for use at home. The system is a neuro-robotic rehabilitation device that helps impaired stroke survivors increase movement in their arms, and has been clinically proven effective from two days to 21 years post stroke. Used in the clinical setting since 2008, the Myomo System is now available directly to consumers with a physician’s prescription. Myomo has successfully completed FDA requirements to demonstrate that the device is safe for use in the home.
"Our goal is to make the Myomo System available to as many people as can benefit from it," explains Steve Kelly, Myomo’s CEO. "Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the US. There is a great need to restore independence to those who have suffered a stroke. Our new program expands access to world-class rehabilitation therapy and technology to any individual at home regardless of geography."
"We were able to get therapy with the Myomo system, but the nearest clinic was a four hour round trip drive," said Dean Kenefick, who suffered a stroke in 2004. "When Myomo started a pilot program for home use, we purchased one. I use the Myomo device three times a week and consistently get more return of muscle and movement."
A Model for Delivering High-Frequency Stroke Rehabilitation
myomo@home is a comprehensive program that leverages evidence-based techniques to restore arm movement. It combines the Myomo System with therapy from a trained and certified Myomo physical or occupational therapist; direction from a therapist and adherence to a prescribed protocol is critical to the success of stroke patients using the Myomo System at home.
"Myomo was developed based on a well-known principle that if you work at it, you will get better at it," said Steve Williams, MD, Chief, Chairman, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Boston Medical Center. "Just like learning and getting better at a sport or a craft, re-learning to move your arm requires repetitive practice to keep getting better at it."
To acquire the product, Myomo has a defined process that includes an in-person or a Web-based video screening and the participation of a clinical partner or a local therapist. If the patient doesn’t have access to a local therapy resource, Myomo works with them to connect with a local therapist through its independent therapist network.
Myomo provides therapist training and certification through a multi-level certification program that is completed either in-person or live via the Web. Each therapy protocol is customized for the individual patient and follow-up is conducted to adjust treatment for the most potential improvement. Unlimited phone customer service is included with the program.
About Myomo
Myomo develops neuro-robotic technology that helps impaired stroke survivors regain movement in their arms. The company combines technology developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with rehabilitation professionals trained at the best hospitals in the country, to help stroke patients regain independence. For more information, visit www.myomo.com
CONTACT: Matt Burke, matt@myomo.com, US +1 603.315.0618
PATIENT & CAREGIVER INFORMATION
We are excited to offer Myomo for use in the comfort of your home, on your own time schedule. At the same time, training from a licensed physical or occupational therapist and adherence to a prescribed therapy program is critical to improvement.
We will either work with a therapist of your choice or help you identify one. This is to ensure proper sizing and training on the device. It also provides a local resource to help you progress your training, program and therapy.
While we are eager to get you working toward mobility, we have a multi-step qualification process to ensure the best outcomes possible. Myomo wants all patients to have a fulfilling experience and gain the most arm movement possible through utilization of the device.
For more information, please download our:
MEDICAL SCREENING:
The first step is a medical screening with one of the Myomo staff therapists. This is initially a phone call and then, if appropriate, our therapist will do a web-based screening. NOTE: To do this you will need a web camera and the software package Skype, which can be downloaded for free at www.skype.com.
MEDICAL PERSCRIPTION:
Once our therapist confirms from the online screening that you appear to be a good candidate, the next step is to get a prescription from your doctor for the Myomo device. Click here for a perscription template.
LOCAL THERAPIST:
The next step is to identify a local physical or occupational therapist who can be trained and certified to provide therapy using the product. Either a PT or an OT is fine; what's most important is that the person has experience providing therapy for a stroke and a has current license to treat patients. The therapist's first task is to measure for the correct product using our size template. We will provide literature on the Myomo product and clinical research to the therapist. NOTE: If you already have a therapist it would be ideal to have them present for the medical screening (reference in Step 1).
PAYMENT:
Myomo's technology is too new to qualify for insurance reimbursement, but we offer a substancial discount to compensate for that. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
TRAINING:
Once we ship the unit we will schedule training with your therapist. At the conclusion of the training, your therapist will be given a competency test to ensure they are qualified to provide treatment with the Myomo product.
OVERSIGHT:
Once your therapist is trained and comfortable, a Myomo therapist will oversee the initial therapy. We have a pre-defined program for your therapist to follow, but every patient is different and we will work with them to customize it to your specific needs. The process can happen pretty quickly depending on the availability of your local therapist and a prescription from your phsyician. Then you can begin your prescribed program and literally come a little closer to reaching your potential. The therapeutic effect varies from person to person, but a good reference model is learning to write. It takes your brain and muscles a while to master it, but you can begin to see progress quickly.
Ready to get started? Click here
THERAPIST MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION
The therapist is an important part of the myomo@home process and is critical to the success of stroke survivors using our device. If a patient has an existing relationship with a therapist, we provide training and certification for the therapist and together create a protocol for the patient. If a patient does not have an existing relationship with a therapist, our aim is to connect the patient with a certified therapist.
To acquire the product we have a defined process that requires a prescription and either a clinical partner or local therapist. As we expand from the clinical settings into the home, we need to provide the benefits of a skilled clinician to our patients. Myomo wants all patients to have a fulfilling experience and gain the most arm movement possible using the device. That's where the therapist comes in.
For the therapist, we provide training and certification through a standardized certification program. A large portion of this certification can be done live via the Web. We have successfully trained clinicians as far as Singapore using this methodology.
Once training is completed, our Myomo staff therapist will work with you to customize a treatment plan for your patient. Delivering therapy using the Myomo product is very similar to a typical treatment session, except the patient is able to move their affected limb using their own will. They are much more involved in therapy for reaching and bilateral tasks.
For more information, please download our:
Interested in joining our network of therapists?
Click here to register.