After Amy Liguori’s stroke in 2009, at the age of 42, she was unable to speak or walk. Liguori has engaged in a host of therapies including speech therapy, acupuncture, and Botox treatment. But she credits the Bioness Ness L300 for vastly enhancing her ability to walk.
The device, a small transmitter, is worn in her right shoe and a cuff is strapped below her right knee. When she walks, a mild electrical stimulation is sent to the peroneal nerve, which controls movement and sensation to the lower leg, foot and toes. The stimulated nerve signals underactive muscles to help Liguori lift her foot. A similar device worn on the right arm helps her to open her right hand.
"The feeling of being able to lift my foot up was incredible," Liguori said, adding that the device has made her much less dependent on the use of a cane.
Post stroke, Liguori was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Mass, where she was a patient for four weeks, followed by eight weeks at Pendleton Health & Rehabilitation Center, Mystic, Conn. Outpatient care consisted of occupational and physical therapy at The Westerly Hospital, Westerly, RI.
After meeting with Stephanie Chin, a PT at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, five days per week for about eight weeks, Liguori progressed from not being able to walk at all to being able to walk about 200 feet at a time with the help of a fourpoint "quad" cane.
