Therapy Information

MyndMove™ is a non-invasive Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) therapy designed to improve voluntary arm and hand function in patients with upper-limb paralysis, such as those suffering from stroke or spinal cord injury (SCI). By stimulating the muscles during specific movements, MyndMove™ helps retrain the brain and body to create new neural pathways, facilitating motor function recovery.

MyndMove™ treatment for lower limb is now commercially available in Canada after MyndTec received Health Canada approval for these indications.

How MyndMove™ Therapy Works

MyndMove™ therapy utilizes Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to promote muscle engagement and neuroplasticity. During therapy, electrodes are placed over the muscles, and small bursts of electrical stimulation are delivered as the patient actively attempts movements.

This dual effort, involving both the brain’s signal to the muscle and the stimulation-induced contraction, helps create new neural pathways, leading to improved motor function. Over time, patients gain voluntary control of previously paralyzed muscles, with typical results emerging after 20 hours of therapy. The personalized approach of MyndMove™ adapts to each individual’s progress and specific needs.

MyndMove™ trained physiotherapy or occupational therapy professionals guide patients through tailored, customizable and comfortable protocols that focus on specific movements like grasping, reaching, and pinching. These sessions can result in meaningful motor improvements after 20 hours or more of therapy, with the timing of results varying by individual.

Key Features of MyndMove™

Advanced Neuromodulation Technology

The MyndMove™ system is equipped with advanced embedded algorithm based, customizable stimulation protocols, enabling over 30 different pre-set movement sequences. The system’s 8-channel stimulator allows the stimulation of up to eight muscle groups in a single protocol, facilitating both bilateral arm movement (for SCI patients) and complex unilateral movement (for stroke patients).

Electrical stimulation from the device sends signals to the brain, while patients attempt movements, reinforcing a new motor pathway. Over time, this leads to lasting recovery of voluntary control in paralyzed limbs. It improves voluntary motor control and sensory function in stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, helping them perform everyday tasks.

Neuroplasticity-Driven Recovery

MyndMove FES and NMES therapy supports recovery by not only improving movement but also preventing muscle atrophy, reducing spasms, increasing circulation, and re-educating muscles. MyndMove™ caters to a wide range of patients, from those with hemiplegia post-stroke to individuals with C3-T1 SCI. Please refer to the indications for use in Canada and the United States.

By stimulating neural pathways through both afferent (muscle-to-brain) and efferent (brain-to-muscle) signals, MyndMove™ therapy promotes neuroplasticity. Over time, this helps patients regain lasting voluntary motor control in paralyzed limbs, improving both sensory and motor functions.

Unlike some therapies, MyndMove™ leverages neuroplasticity by retraining the brain’s pathways through targeted electrical stimulation. Over time, patients experience lasting voluntary control of paralyzed limbs, making it a comprehensive long-term solution for improving motor function.

By combining cutting-edge technology, therapist expertise, and patient participation, MyndMove™ offers a powerful tool for restoring motor control in individuals with significant impairments.

MyndMove Indications for Use

Indication for Use in Canada

(licensed for upper limb and lower limb treatment)

MyndMove is an electrical stimulation device indicated for the following uses: Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

• Improvement of arm and hand functions and active range of motion in patients with hemiplegia due to stroke or upper limb paralysis due to C3-T1 spinal cord injury.

NeuroMuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) for general rehabilitation for:

• Maintenance and/or increase of range of motion.
• Prevention or retardation of disuse atrophy.
• Increase in local blood circulation.
• Reduction of muscle spasm.
• Re-education of muscles.

Indications for Use in the United States

(cleared for upper limb treatment)

MyndMove is an electrical stimulation device indicated for the following uses: Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

• Improvement of arm and hand functions and active range of motion in patients with hemiplegia due to stroke or upper limb paralysis due to C3-T1 spinal cord injury.

NeuroMuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) for general rehabilitation for:

• Maintenance and/or increase of arm and hand range of motion.
• Prevention or retardation of disuse atrophy.
• Increase in local blood circulation.
• Reduction of muscle spasm.
• Re-education of muscles.

MyndMove™ therapy can only be administered by Trained MyndMove™ Therapists who are physical and occupational therapists and also licensed or certified physical therapist assistants (PTAs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) under their supervision who have completed MyndMove™ training, by MyndTec, on the use of the MyndMove™ system.

Contraindications for Use in USA and Canada

In order for patients to benefit from MyndMove™, they must be medically stable, able to actively participate in and to communicate with the therapist during treatment.
Conditions that preclude patients from receiving MyndMove™ therapy are summarized in our Contraindications for use. These include:

• Do not use the MyndMove™ system if the patient has a pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or implanted metallic or electronic device. If the patient has passive metallic implants, the therapy can be delivered if the implants are located in an area other than where the electrical stimulation is to be delivered. Patients with pacemakers or an implanted electronic device should not be subjected to stimulation unless specialist medical opinion has first been obtained.
• Do not use the MyndMove™ system if a cancerous lesion is present or suspected on the upper extremity being treated.
• Do not use the MyndMove™ system on an arm if there is an unhealed wound or fracture.
• Do not use the MyndMove™ system over swollen, infected, or inflamed areas or skin eruptions (e.g. phlebitis, thrombophlebitis).
• Do not use the MyndMove™ system if the patient has cognitive impairment. Patient participation is required to deliver therapy and patients must be able to understand and follow instructions.
• Do not use the MyndMove™ system on an arm that has been treated with botulinum toxin in the past 6 months.

Studies Referenced

1. Kapadia N, Shaghayegh B, Popovic MR. Influence of Different Rehabilitation Therapy Models on Patient Outcomes: Hand Function Therapy in Individuals with Incomplete SCI. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. 2014:0:0-1.
2. Kapadia N, Zivanovic V, Furlan J, Craven BC, McGillivray C, Popovic MR. Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy for Grasping in Traumatic Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Randomized Control Trial. Artif Organs. 2011:35(3):212-216.
3. Kapadia N, Zivanovic V, Popovic MR. Restoring Voluntary Grasping Function in Individuals with Incomplete Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Pilot Study. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. 2013:19:4-279.
4. Kawashima N, Popvic MR, Zivanovic V. Effect of Intensive FES Therapy on Upper-Limb Motor Recovery After Stroke. Physiotherapy Canada. 2013:65(1):20-28.
5. Popovic MR, Kapadia N, Zivanovic V, Furlan J, Craven BC, McGillivray C. Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy of Voluntary Grasping Versus only Conventional Rehabilitation for Patients with Subacute Incomplete Tetraplegia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2011:25:5-433.
6. Popovic MR, Thrasher T, Adams M, Takes V, Zivanovic V, Tonack M. Functional Electrical Therapy: Retraining Grasping in Spinal Cord Injury. Spinal Cord. 2006:44-143.
7. Marquez-Chin C, Bagher S, Zivanovic V, Popovic MR. Functional electrical stimulation therapy for severe hemiplegia: Randomized control trial revisited. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2017:84(2):87-97
8. Trasher T, Zivanovic V, Mcllroy W, Popovic MR. Rehabilitation of Reaching and Grasping Function in Severe Hemiplegic Patients Using Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2008:22:706-13.