Trainm, Neuro Rehab Clinic in Antwerp, Belgium
©IMK
My husband, having done lots of research when I was in hospital, recommended TRAINM, a neurorehabilitation clinic in Antwerp, Belgium. I was to go there in October 2018 for 5 weeks. I was to do an intensive boot camp session. They have the most advanced equipment in Europe. It is a very special place - a marvellous mansion dating from the late 19th century.
But most importantly they have some of the most modern robotics and electro-stimulation equipment in the world. It was founded by a couple of bankers whose son suffered from cerebral palsy. Doctors only gave him a few years to live, but the parents dropped everything and researched all the neurological studies made by US Universities and were among the first to try alternative neuro stimulation techniques with their son who grew into a teenager.
It was intense; I had 4 or 5 one hour sessions per day, and two hour sessions on Saturday (only Sundays were free!). There were many machines and electronic devices - I have included only some:
©IMK
©IMK
©IMK
Here is a machine made by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T). It is for the right hand and arm or the left hand and arm, whichever is affected. A yellow round ball would appear electronically in the middle of a round circle on the screen. You had to draw it on the screen, with your hand and arm, in a pie format (and as quick as you could with all the strength and precision you had....). The aim of the exercise was to draw a circle multiple times, as perfectly as possible.
I am using the Diego, a Tyromotion machine. I have in my right hand a small cube, which I try and release (the release part is the hardest to do - I can clench but I can't release my right hand ...but here I half release it!).
This is Amadeo, another Tyromotion machine. It combines varying robotic motion on the affected hand. There are lots of computerised games to play, with cute cartoon characters etc.
This is a brain stimulation technique or brain computer interface (BCI) (below). The electrodes were fastened by means of a rubber cap on my head and gel was squirted in the correct amount. I had electrodes right above my wrist and right below my elbow. The procedure was to identify which part of my left brain was activating the use of my right arm/hand. Once identified and narrowed down, the sensors would detect when my brain gave order to my right hand. Once this specific brain signal detected, the electrodes were helping me open my right hand through an electric impulse.
©IMK
©IMK
It was almost like my brain was trying to become whole again, after about 12 sessions. It was so subtle, but I could feel it enhancing my left brain a little. Although the 'wholeness' of my brain was less now than before my stroke, I could feel that my brain was a little different - it was more harmonious and more in unity.
It was very hard work to get the brain to lift up the right or the left hand. I was so fatigued after the one hour session....but I think the left side of my brain improved.
©IMK
