“My son is currently 16 months old, and has a diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA). We have been trialing the Gracile for three weeks now and we have to have it!
It is wonderful movement therapy for my son. We started off doing 5 minutes per day at a speed of 2 rpm, and have currently worked up to 30 minutes at a speed of 4 rpm. Each evening my son gets to “ride his bike” and gets so excited for this time. His heart rate immediately decreases once his legs begin to cycle as it is very relaxing for him, while also a great muscle workout. SMA causes the muscles to atrophy, yet we are seeing an increase in the muscle tone in just 3 weeks of use. I am really excited to see the long term benefits of using the Gracile with my son.”
~Ashley
“My brother suffered a severe spinal cord injury when his tree stand collapsed while hunting. For three months he underwent therapy at a hospital that lacked modern rehabilitation equipment. His progress was very minimal and the decision was made to transfer him to the Frazier Rehab Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. World renowned Spinal Cord Injury Researcher, Dr. Susan Harkema directs the Frazier Rehab Institute (Lead Center for the NeuroRecovery Network). Upon arrival we could tell that the philosophy towards SCI rehab was very progressive and different. Rehab was based on active and weight bearing therapy.
My brother engaged in Locomotor Training five days a week and daily Motomed Training. One of his high points in the day was when he was able to use the Motomed viva2. This machine got his legs moving after three months of sedation. The motor would initiate movement in his legs for about 30 seconds and then his legs would take over and the motor would shut off. Although he was not voluntarily moving his legs, his spinal cord below the level of injury was governing the action. Physically, his body was doing the work on the Motomed.
He made it a point to use the Motomed every single day. His goal was a minimum of one hour a day and on weekends he exercised on it for up to three hours. The changes in his body from this rehabilitative exercise were clearly evident. He began to experience muscle growth in his legs, his spasms began to decrease, and he began to increase sensation in his lower extremities (glutes and hamstrings). In addition, he often would use the hand bike portion of the Motomed daily as well. This continuous exercise strengthened his arms and allowed for greater function. His avid use of the Motomed is documented on his website: www.symbolofstrength.com.
My brother and his family have felt that the Motomed has played a pivotal role in Kirk’s recovery efforts. We will be acquiring a Motomed viva2 so that Kirk can continue his therapy while at home. We believe that this weight bearing, continuous exercise will prove to be a foundation of his journey toward recovery. We are so thankful that an innovative piece of equipment like the Motomed has provided hope for so many people suffering from neurological disorders.”
~Brett
“My name is Steve and I am a C4 Quadriplegic Complete. This means I have no feeling from my nipple level down in my body and very limited feeling from my wrists down.
While I was doing rehabilitation in the hospital, there was a hand bicycle used by the physical therapists that helped me retain some muscular strength in my arms, shoulders, upper back and upper chest.
Upon returning home my wife and I searched the Internet for a comparable device. After a short demonstration, by a MOTOmed sales person I quickly discovered that the MOTOmed was not only a superior hand bicycle providing a screen with feedback about performance levels but gearing which allowed you to change difficulty levels.
My greatest discovery was that it also had foot pedals that could be rotated in either direction without using your muscle power.
I have now owned a MOTOmed for over six months and recommend it heartily to anyone suffering from quadriplegia or paraplegia. It might also be useful for some victims of a stroke when recommended by a physician or physical therapist.”
~Steve
“I’ve been living with MS for 25 years now and depend on a wheelchair in my daily life. When I saw the MOTOmed first in the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute, Willowbrook, IL, I realized how much benefit this active/passive cycle trainer was for people with different conditions like stroke patients, cancer patients or children with disabilities. As I wish to be able to walk again I bought myself a MOTOmed viva2 leg trainer.
It is so good to have the MOTOmed in my home so that I canuse it everyday. I am on it at least 30 minutes daily and I want to do more. It is definitely worth purchasing the machine comparing it to the cost I have to bear for other rehabilitation care. With the MOTOmed I can train independently on my own. Each session helps me strengthen my legs, increase stamina and stimulate circulation. The MOTOmed makes me work and feel good throughout the day.
I’d like to recommend the cycle trainer to everybody. Don’t be afraid of pain, if spasms occur the MOTOmed will stop pedalling and eases the pain by chaning the direction again and again until your muscles have relaxed and you can go on cycling.
It is a wonderful product”
~Cheryl
“Since February 2010 I have been training with the MOTOmed viva2_Parkinson and I would like to share my very positive experiences with this movement therapy device. Let me discribe by situation briefly:
I have received the diagnosis in October 2008. The symptoms were clear: Strong tremor in the left hand and reduced motor function in the left leg, difficulties to brush my teeth with my left hand and with all tasks where fine motor skills are required, finally even with writing. My neurologist prescribed me the regular medication: Sifrol (at increasing doses) and Madopar. There were only minor side effects, however, I could not notice any significant improvements of my symptoms.
In January 2010 one of your employees supplied me the MOTOmed for a 8 week trial at home. Since that day I have been training my legs and arms for about an hour, 1 -2 times a day. After 4 weeks I have noticed significant improvements: I am able to write normally, the tremor in my left hand improved significantly, no difficulties with brushing my teeth anymore and I feel substantial improvements of my fine motor skills. I have experienced how much I need the MOTOmed as I went on vacation for 14 days and wasn’t able to use the device. I could feel and see that my symptoms are getting worse but this disappeared after just six training sessions with the device.
The MOTOmed training is fully integrated in my everyday life. Mostly I watch TV while I let the device move my legs or arms passively. I am very glad and grateful that somebody recommended this device to me back then and now I am sharing my positive experiences with others.
~Christiane
“As I have gained considerable improvements of my Parkinson’s symptoms by the regular use of the therapy device MOTOmed viva2 Parkinson, I would like to share my first experiences from the training with this device. I’m a primary school teacher. At the end of 2004 I discovered a light prickling in my right hand, especially when I was writing on the black board. After I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I felt fear and insecurity. Immediately I decided to learn everything about this disease and about the treatment options, in order to prepare myself for the life with Parkinson’s.
Despite of taking the regular medication, my quality of life had been decreasing dramatically. My movements got slower, I was insecure in climbing the steps, my right hand and my right leg were shivering. I’ve had problems with all kinds of fine motor skills as well as with writing. Further it came to balance and coordination problems which limited my walking and cycling. The strength in my arms and hands was decreasing. All this affected only the right side. We adapted my medication, I’ve had weekly gymnastic and water gymnastic as well as daily physical therapy what unfortunately brought only very little improvements.
Finally, I read an article in the “Parkinson’s News” magazine about a new movement therapy device for Parkinson’s patients, which is being produced and developed by your company. That’s why I contacted you. At first I received some information material, and on the 4th of May you delivered me a device for a home trial free of charge. That gave me the chance to test the effects of this therapy device.
Since that day I have been training one or two times a day for 40 minutes (20min arms, 20min legs) motor-assisted, active or passive. When I’m training with my own muscle strength and getting tired after a while, it is great that the motor takes over again. But the special thing for me is that I can train in my private environment, feeling safe and comfortable, without assistance and disturbances. Mr Schulte helped me in order to train most effectively with the device.
Therapeutic treatments covered by the health insurance are certainly somehow helpful as well, however, suffering from Parkinson’s make little things difficult and it is sometimes very exhausting to be at a certain time at a certain place. The recommendation to use basic pedal trainers seems no longer to make sense as latest research found high cadence up to 90rpm as necessary to achieve progress with the Parkinson’s therapy.
I’m very happy that I was able to use the MOTOmed viva2 Parkinson for such a long time. The success is clearly visible. The symmetry training helped me to increase my muscle strength of my weaker right side what compensated my imbalance. My gait pattern became more fluent and thanks to my improvements in coordination and balance I am now able to ride a bicycle again. It makes me very happy to see how my tremors decrease significantly; activities of the daily life, such as stirring, cutting, and writing are so much easier for me now.
My neurologist confirmed my positive improvements.
I don’t want to miss the MOTOmed viva2 Parkinson anymore and I hope my medication combined with daily movement therapy will help to even increase my overall well-being and to maintain flexibility and mobility.
I would like to express my appreciation to your co-workers. I wish you continued success in improving the overall well-being of other users.
~Rita