New research measuring the benefits of Myomo Inc’s MyoPro myoelectric orthosis found “statistically significant improvements” in a number of motor function measurements, the company announces.

The study, titled “Myoelectric Arm Orthosis in Motor Learning-Based Therapy for Chronic Deficits After Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury,” was funded by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, and supported by the Office of Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, through the Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program.

The research, which adds to the body of evidence supporting the utility of MyoPro in stroke and traumatic brain injury patients, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Neurology.

The study followed 13 individuals with chronic moderate-to-severe arm weakness from stroke or traumatic brain injury. Outcomes were collected from in-therapy sessions and home use. The study was conducted by lead investigator and grant recipient Svetlana Pundik, MD and colleagues at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Administration Medical Center.

The authors note that “Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements were observed on Fugl-Meyer (+7.5 points). Gains were seen at week 3, increased further through the in-clinic phase and were maintained during the home phase. Statistically significant changes in Modified Ashworth Scale, Range of Motion, and Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory were seen early during the in-clinic phase. The Orthotic and Prosthetic User’s Survey demonstrated satisfaction with the device throughout study participation. Both stroke and TBI participants responded to the intervention.”

“Use of MyoPro in motor learning-based therapy resulted in clinically significant gains with a relatively short duration of in-person treatment,” the authors conclude.

“We are encouraged by the continually increasing body of evidence that demonstrates that the use of MyoPro results in clinically significant gains in a relatively short duration of in-person treatment. We look forward to expanding on these results which may lead to innovations in treatment for patients who suffer from chronic upper extremity weakness. This data supports why the payer community both in the U.S. and Germany continue to expand its reimbursement coverage for patients. We thank the clinicians and patients involved in this study.”

— Harry Kovelman, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Myomo

[Source(s): Myomo Inc, Business Wire]