mentastim
Device and therapy explained for patients.
mentastim Impulse for a new awareness of life
The Therapy
The therapy phases: Rest - Imagination - Stimulation
The brain starts to resave the movement pattern. Therefore it activates new, undamaged nerve cells. That’s why you can relearn movements with mentastim through continuous exercises.
The EMG stimulation electrodes are placed on the respective muscle group, which should be treated. Depending on the sensitivity of the patient, the stimulation (the intensity) will be set to a higher or a lower value.
The three phases:
- Phase 1 - Rest: The patient relaxes. The muscle potential, also known as the EMG value, will be measured by the electrodes.
- Phase 2 - Imagination: The patient imagines mentally a specific movement of the limb which should be treated. Through the imagination, the EMG value will raise; as soon as it reaches a certain threshold the muscle stimulation will be triggered.
- Phase 3 - Stimulation: The patient will recognize the stimulation through the vegetative nervous system. The stimulation represents the positive feedback of the execution of the movement to the brain.
Indications and therapy objectives
Here helps mentastim
Indications
- Diseases or injuries of the Central Nervous System such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor surgery or infantile brain damage
- Spinal cord injury such as an incomplete paraplegia
- Muscle tensions and spasms due to a present hemiparesis
Objectives
- Regulation of the muscle tone and reduction of spasms
- Reduction of ataxia
- Initiation and relearning of movements
- Improvement of fine motor skills
- Prevention of a secondary damage due to improper posture
Neuroplasticity
The neuroplasticity supports the learning process of motor sequences
By the time the brain is able to relearn how to control muscles through a regained positive feedback and frequent repetitions.
The therapy method takes advantage of the ability of the Central Nervous System to restructure itself in case of a lost capability of motor skills due to damaged nerve tissue. The neuroplasticity of the brain makes it possible to adapt to changed conditions and to relearn the specific control of movements.
Create Stimulation for the brain
Neurons in the healthy parts of the brain are able to adopt tasks of the damaged tissue; to achieve that goal they literally need “Stimulation”.
The Stimulation will be triggered from two directions: the patient has to support the process cognitively by imagining the movement of the paralyzed limb, while the paralyzed muscle will be stimulated electrically by mentastim.
mentastim closes the interrupted circle of the voluntary motor skills
The “mental movement” increases the electrical potential of the muscle, which is measured by mentastim as an electromyogram (EMG). Thereafter the muscle will be electrically stimulated to return a positive feedback to the brain about the planned execution of the movement.
The Device
Intuitive and easy to use
At a glance:
- Simple guided therapy through an intuitive device handling
- Audible and visual therapy control
- Extensive therapy memory for an efficiency control
- Patient individualized programs
- Application of the therapy is even possible with low residual activity or events long time ago
Details: Independantly guided therapy
mentastim is especially designed for a controlled home use which is supported by an almost fully automated operation.
The device adapts to the daily patients’ performance; that means it lowers or raises the threshold automatically.
mentastim allows you as a Patient to use the device independently at home to increase continuously the achievements you already gained at the inpatient rehabilitation.
One-Channel-Device: The device operates with one EMG channel, via which EMG recording and stimulation is conducted. The program settings, the device parameters and the therapeutic process can be monitored by a doctor or therapist.
Learn mentastim: Expert instruction and support
The mentastim therapy is applied in selected rehabilitation clinics or practices. There you practice the use of the menastim with trained therapists.
In the home application your specialized ergo- or physiotherapist or also an ambulant rehabilitation center will take care of you on request / by arrangement (IGEL service).
The therapy is particularly successful, if you perform it independently at home several times a day. Your therapist continuously adapts the device to your therapy progress.
You can get more information and contact addresses about mentastim therapist network and specialist retailers.
Obtainment
Prescription or individual health service
You can receive the device through our authorized distributors.
Prerequisite is a prescription by your health insurance. Another option is the individual health service.
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Prescription: mentastim can be prescribed. If your doctor recommends and prescribes mentastim as an effective addition to your therapy, your health insurance will most likely cover the expenses.
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Individual health service: If your health insurance won’t cover the expenses you have also the possibility to receive the mentastim therapy as an individual health service.
Please contact our authorized distributors for further information.
