Multifaceted Use of NuroSleeve to Restore Arm Function in Neurological Diseases: Joe Kardine, MS, OTR, CBIS

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"Just by using the affected extremity, even passively, is not only helpful in function but it also reiterates on the back end of what therapy may have reiterated throughout the recovery. It’s a different way of doing it, and also more engaging because you’re starting to involve both extremities and somewhat of what normal function used to be like."

For patients with stroke and those with neurological conditions, developing arm weakness can be a common occurrence. Traditionally, physical therapy-related approaches have been the standard of care; however, with the expansion of technology in recent years, options like portable powered braces and functional electrical stimulation have shown benefits in restoring functional arm movement for these individuals. A new modality for this aspect of care, the NuroSleeve powered brace and stimulation system, is currently being evaluated by researchers at the Jefferson Center for Neurorestoration at Thomas Jefferson University.

The overall objective of the study is to establish that children and adults with chronic, stable neurological motor impairment can achieve voluntary control over the NuroSleeve upper extremity orthosis and functional electrical stimulation system, and that they can use this voluntary control to perform functionally beneficial tasks. Currently ongoing, the trial features patients with a range of neurological diseases, including stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, cerebral palsy, and several others.

To learn more about the function of NuroSleeve, how it operates, and why it is effective, NeurologyLive^® reached out to Joe Kardine, MS, OTR, CBIS, clinical program manager, Jefferson Center for Neurorestoration. Kardine discussed the multifaceted use of the system across several neurologic conditions and how it can be personally customized for each individual.