Intento PRO

Intento PRO is a new digital therapeutic solution for the treatment of upper limb impairment after stroke, that enables the delivery of Intento PRO Movement Therapy, a unique rehabilitation approach, based on Self-Modulated Functional Electrical Stimulation.

Self-Modulated Functional Electrical Stimulation  

Self-modulated therapy means that the patient is in control of the delivery of the electrical stimulation that induces a functional movement. Electrodes are placed onto the arm by your therapist and these will deliver electrical impulses. These impulses contract specific muscles, which produce movements in the muscle. This is a simple and effective method for retraining voluntary muscle movements accompanied by a therapist. At Birkdale, we understand that the impact of a stroke is different for everyone and varies from individual to individual. We complete a comprehensive initial assessment to examine a wide range of factors and how these interact to limit arm function. We make a planned pathway for upper limb rehabilitation. We assess for muscle and joint changes, alignment, patterns of weakness and sensory loss, pain, thinking and planning issues, fatigue, inattention and other factors which pose challenges to using the arm, hand and shoulder. We use Intento electrical stimulation therapy as part of a suite of technologies that effectively retrain upper limb movements after a stroke. Intento PRO can be used for any level of stroke impairment. 

Patient Autonomy 

Scientific evidence increasingly shows that electrical stimulation is more effective when delivered at exactly the same time as the patient tries the movement. This encourages performing movements that are similar to those used in activities of daily living. Intento is designed to put the patient in control to achieve this. 

This unique rehabilitation approach is generally organized in cycles of 10 sessions:

1. During the first session, the therapist assesses the patient impairment and determines the patient’s goals in retraining activities of daily living.

 

2. Electrodes are placed on specific areas of the patient’s arm to stimulate muscular contractions and induce the desired movements.

 

3. The patient controls the stimulation to receive the assistance needed to execute the movement. This is what we call self-modulated functional electrical stimulation.

 

The patient performs 2 to 3 different types of exercises during a session, repeating each exercise 10 to 30 times.

Data collected in a pilot study demonstrates a clinically important reduction in impairment in the majority of stroke patients, after a standard cycle of 10 sessions. Intento Movement Therapy can promote a clinically important recovery with a probability that is 6.2 times higher than standard care. It is important that you are aware that every patient is different. Some patients will respond more or less than others and some possibly not at all. However this will be assessed and managed by your therapist. 

Enhanced Rehabilitation 

Self-modulated functional electrical stimulation therapy promotes a better reduction in impairment than standard rehabilitation care alone, according to currently available clinical evidence. In addition, Intento PRO only takes about 3 minutes to set up with a patient. Tracking and recording the progress of therapy is managed automatically by Intento so the therapist can have enhanced focus on planning and organising a targeted therapy plan, with responsive and comprehensive information. This means that our therapists can maximise their appointment time with patients.

Intento Movement Therapy

Intento PRO has 21 programmed stimulated movements for the hand, arm and shoulder. In addition, custom stimulation programs can also be designed quickly and easily to target specific areas of exercise needed for enhanced rehabilitation and configuration of patient-specific parameters. Intento PRO offers patient-led comprehensive muscular movement training. This gives us the opportunity to adjust therapy sessions to individuals’ different goals or rehabilitation stages. With Intento PRO we can find the right balance between challenging and confidence boosting to execute a movement, giving the patient a challenging and rewarding therapy through their neuro-rehabilitation.

Intento and Birkdale Neurological Rehabilitation Clinic

All of these advantages are why we love using the Intento PRO at the Birkdale Neuro Rehabilitation Centre. Intento PRO motivates an enhanced focus on repetition of movements for our patients, which is much needed for this type of movement based rehabilitation. Intento PRO means that the possibility of regaining natural arm movement can become a reality! 

If you have any questions about Intento PRO, you are interested in testing the technology, or incorporating Intento PRO into your neuro- physiotherapy pathway, please Contact Us.