State Of The Art Technology

The VitalStim Plus Electrotherapy and sEMG Biofeedback System projects live treatment progress onto a computer or tablet screen. The Screen Mirroring technology allows us to guide you through personalised, targeted swallowing exercises. sEMG biofeedback helps to increase effort and duration of swallowing attempts and to improve coordination. It also offers the potential for objective evaluation of swallowing function and patterns.

What’s involved:

Sessions are typically 60 minutes in duration, and we recommend that treatment begin with 1- 5 sessions per week, depending on the individual. Generally, VitalStim works best when used intensively (at least 3 times per week). As progress is made the frequency of sessions may decrease. At the beginning of the session we will place 2 or 4 electrodes (small stickers with wires connected to the VitalStim device) onto the face or neck, targeting specific muscles responsible for swallowing. At first a ‘tingling’ (pins and needles) sensation is felt – this is the sensory component. As the intensity is increased, a ‘pulling’ sensation is felt on the muscles. This is the motor component (where the muscles start working hard!). Nothing about the treatment should be painful, and we do our best to make sessions fun and enjoyable, particularly for any anxious patients.

While the VitalStim device is turned on, we will guide the patient through functional swallowing exercises. For babies and young children who are unable to do this, research shows that simply practising swallowing with food or drink whilst the device is turned on, is also enough to see great results. During sessions we will also discuss ideas and strategies to use at home, to ensure progress continues and maximum results are achieved.

With thanks to Control Bionics, NEURONODE is the world’s first wearable EMG (electromyography) assistive communication device. It is suitable for those living with conditions like motor neuron disease, spinal muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury. 

The NeuroNode Trilogy is a 3-in-1 solution for those living with paralysis and loss of speech by combining touch control, eye control, and EMG (electromyography). Combining these access methods in a dedicated speech-generating device allows for increased speed and communication output. At the heart of the NeuroNode Trilogy is the NeuroNode 3.0, a wearable EMG control device. Additionally, the NeuroNode 3.0 offers the combined power of EMG + 3D Spatial control, allowing users to choose either option to access their speech-generating device (e.g. monitor, tablet, phone).

What’s involved:

The NeuroNode is placed on the skin over the muscle chosen to be the switch. When you attempt to move that muscle, the NeuroNode detects your bioelectrical (EMG) signals, even if there is no visible muscle movement, and uses these signals to allow you to control your speech-generating device, such as the Grid 3 program on the NeuroNode Trilogy system.

During initial intake, we will discuss with you whether NeuroNode is a suitable option. Then we will book an initial assessment to trial the device, where we will determine the most suitable muscle on the body to use as the switch. We will then trial communicating via different applications on the device (e.g. cause-effect games, picture communication boards, sentences using the keyboard). These assessments are always fun and very exciting, as families watch as the world of communication opens up!