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Zynex Medical's NeuroMove(TM) System Cited in New Clinical Study of Stroke Recovery Therapies

Posted on: Wednesday, 26 October 2005, 09:01 CDT

Zynex Medical Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: ZYNX), a provider of pain management systems and electrotherapy products for medical patients with functional disability, today announced that an independent clinical study published in Neuroscience Letters has found that a combination of treatment utilizing the Company's NeuroMove(TM) system in conjunction with traditional physical therapy may significantly reduce the effects of a stroke.

The study by the University of Florida's Motor Behavior Laboratory was initiated to determine the effectiveness of two different or "coupled" forms of treatment when applied to stroke victims. It involved 26 male and females, 21 of whom were selected for two experimental groups and five of whom were selected for a control group. The protocol consisted of 90-minute sessions for eight days over a two-week period. One of the experimental groups received treatment with the NeuroMove(TM) Stroke Recovery System, and the other experimental group received treatment utilizing both the NeuroMove(TM) system and traditional physical therapy.

The study was conducted by the University's James H. Cauraugh, Sang Bum Kim, and Aaron Duley, the results of which were published in Elsevier's Neuroscience Letters.

"Identifying unique combination of rehabilitation strategies and positive transfer conditions may significantly decrease the severity of motor disabilities that challenge many stroke survivors," according to the study. "Strong treatment intervention evidence indicates improved motor capabilities when two protocols are simultaneously coupled during training." The study provided evidence that the use of an electromyography (EMG) type device, such as the NeuroMove(TM) Stroke Recovery System, coupled with traditional physical therapy can result in chronic stroke recovery improvements and active stimulation, including decreased reaction time and stable sustained muscle contractions.

The NeuroMove(TM) is a sophisticated electromyography device that generates electrical signals designed to routinely trigger muscle movement during stroke recovery therapy. "When the EMG activity reached the target threshold, the device automatically increased the threshold for the next trial," the study noted. " If participants could not generate enough muscle activity to reach the criterion, then the device lowered the activation level slightly.

Thomas Sandgaard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zynex, said the NeuroMove(TM) is a proven technology that increases hand, wrist and finger movement, shoulder and elbow movement and reduces muscle spasms. It enables patients to regain control over lost movements via neuroplasticity, where healthy brain cells take over functions lost with stroke.

"Our NeuroMove(TM) technology has been the subject of a number of clinical trials, and we are pleased that the University of Florida study provides further validation of our product," Mr. Sandgaard stated.

Zynex' NeuroMove(TM) system increases the functionality of many stroke victims by helping to teach the healthy parts of the brain to compensate for damaged areas. The NeuroMove(TM), which is so sensitive that it measures attempts even below any visible movements, monitors muscle activity and selects signals from the brain indicating that the patient is attempting to move a certain muscle. It then introduces the actual movement through electrical stimulation. Eventually the connection between the brain and muscle can often be reestablished, also called neuroplasticity. Other therapies may also be used with, before or after the NeuroMove(TM) and potentially further enhance the rehabilitation outcome. The NeuroMove(TM) (www.neuromove.com) also can be used to treat spinal cord injuries.

Safe Harbor Provision

Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking" and as such are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly from the results expressed or implied in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to meet terms and conditions required to obtain project financing, risks and delays associated with product development, risk of market acceptance of new products, technology or product obsolescence, competitive risks, reliance on development partners and additional capital needs. For more discussion of important risk factors that may affect Zynex please see the risk factors contained in Zynex's 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: Business Wire

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