Neuromuscular disorders can be difficult to diagnose, and even more tricky to treat. Although there is no actual cure for a neuromuscular disorder there are some ways to improve strength and mobility, which can lead to an improved quality of life for the patient.

For many years it has been advised that those with a neuromuscular disorder should avoid strenuous activity for fear that their already weakened muscles would be damaged by exercise. However, recent studies are beginning to change that thought process. It is now suggested that a tailored exercise plan can actually help a person to maintain an adequate quality of life despite the physical struggles they may be faced with. This physical activity must be tailored to the individual with consideration for their specific needs in relation to their level of functionality and their diagnosis.

What is a neuromuscular disorder?

A neuromuscular disorder is one that affects how the brain communicates with nerves and muscles, often leading to weakness, spasms, twitching and pain. Because the muscles involved don’t receive enough exercise and stimulation, they often degrade over time.

Neuromuscular diseases are often genetic and have no cure. Although for some it’s possible to identify whether it was inherited or a new gene mutation, it’s also common for the cause to remain unknown.

Neuromuscular disorders are challenging to live with. At Medup, we understand the complexities of the disorder and provide market leading equipment in Ontario, Canada. Whether for at-home or clinical use, contact us to learn more about the Medup V2 Cycle and the health benefits it can provide.

Some examples of a neuromuscular disorder include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Myasthenia gravis
• Toxic, small fiber or autonomic neuropathy
• Congenital myopathies
• Lambert-Eaton syndrome
• Spinal muscular atrophy

Exercise can improve mobility in those with neuromuscular disorders

The benefit of physical activity for those with neuromuscular disorders is a relatively new conversation but it’s not hard to understand why it may have merit. When muscles are allowed to sit unused and move into atrophy, they begin to degrade. However, even small, regular movements can encourage muscles to respond to stimulation and maintain or improve its function. This can lead to some significant benefits for the patient, including improved mobility.

Although each patients’ ability and needs will vary quite a bit, there are signs that regular physical activity can help them in a number of different areas, including:

• Reduction in the speed at which the muscle degrades
• Improved movement
• Prolong the onset of diseases like MS
• Prolonged independence
• Reduced risk of falls
• Potential to improve symptoms and reduce related issues
• Improved heart and lung function
• Improved muscle strength, functionality and control
• Reduction of muscle spasms and contractions
• Improved overall quality of life

An Active-Passive Cycle Trainer Provides Huge Benefits

While someone experiencing a neuromuscular disorder is going to be unable to take on the exercise plan that an able-bodied person can handle, there are certainly opportunities that can help them thrive. A portable active passive cycle trainer is one of the best options available for someone that is looking for some physical activity, but has varying levels of ability day to day.

The MedUp V2 bike is a portable at home trainer that can adapt to a wide variety of needs while the built-in features make it an easy addition to any physical exercise routine.

Designed for upper and lower limbs

The included hand grips, securing mitts and leg guide allow the bike to be used however the patient needs it to be, both as a leg cycle and an arm ergometer.

Incorporated spasm recognition software

A significant safety feature, this software recognises when a muscle is spasming and releases it immediately, protecting both the patient and the muscle.

Includes 4 training modes

Whether the patient is able to power the movements themselves or needs the support of an assisted or passive cycle, this unit is catered to them. Even in full passive mode with the motor doing all of the resistance work for the patient, their muscles will see a benefit.

Symmetrical training

Allows the user to adjust the training modes of each side independent to one another, allowing for one side to receive more of a workout that the other. This can result in a more symmetric result.

Approach muscle training with care

As with any health concerns, a change in physical activity should be helmed by a professional. People with neuromuscular disorders are susceptible to some pretty painful side effects if their exercise routine isn’t given the proper consideration. Their condition can often be aggravated by fatigue so it’s highly recommended to keep this in mind as you move forward. Starting with a low intensity exercise for a very short amount of time is going to have much greater positive impact than allowing them to go until they are tired. If pushed too hard someone with a neuromuscular disorder can experience several bad days as a result.

Despite these cautions the benefits that they can experience are well worth the effort. Although there are several methods of physical activity, an active-passive cycle trainer is the perfect option for many. If travelling to a physical therapist’s office regularly is a burden having a unit in your home that provides the same support can make all the difference.

When someone becomes hospitalized, regardless of the reason, they are bound to spend more time cooped up in bed with less opportunity for mobilization. This can lead to a loss of aerobic fitness and increased muscle atrophy. Studies have shown that one way to improve the effects of inactivity during hospitalization is to focus on early mobilization of the patient. Early mobilization can lead to faster recovery time, shorter hospital stays and improved patient outcomes for a wide variety of situations.

What does early mobilization mean?

Early mobilization is the act of moving a hospitalized patient as soon as possible after they enter, often within the first few hours. Regardless of the cause of hospitalization, a patient should begin mobilization as soon as they can to experience the benefits that it can offer. Whether a person is hospitalized due to injury, stroke, age or illness, maintaining a level of mobilization will help them on their road to recovery.

The term mobilization can be used to refer to a wide variety of movement exercises. Although we usually think of mobilization as a larger set of movements, like going for a walk or sitting on a bicycle, the movements discussed in this situation are usually much simpler. Sometimes simply helping a patient to roll over or sit up in bed is significant enough mobilization to make a difference, particularly in the early stages of hospitalization. Once a patient has graduated to where they are able to sit up or move in bed, helping them get from the bed to a wheelchair can be a significant next step.

Early mobilization is important

Once a person becomes hospitalized and it is clear that the visit will last more than a day or two, a plan for mobilization should be put into place. From manually manipulating limbs, facilitating movement in bed or using tools to help with passive training there are a number of different ways to maintain movement with a patient. While the work may seem significant at the onset, the results will be well worth the effort.

Mobilization is important to all patients, especially those in the ICU, for many reasons including:

• Reduction in length of stay, both in the ICU and the hospital as a whole
• Reduced potential for complications like blood clots and wound or chest infections
• Less opportunity for bed sores to develop
• Lower mortality rate
• Reduced loss of muscle strength and tone
• Sets them up for better mobility and functionality at discharge

Movement is the key to recovery

Once a patient has become hospitalized, the sooner they can start moving the better. Of course, the cause for hospitalization will be different for each patient, and therefore the type of mobilization they’re capable of will be too. In the early days of admittance simply transferring to a chair, rolling over in bed or sitting up at the edge of the bed will be enough mobilization, however with consistent effort the patient will soon be able to engage in passive and active exercises.

Cycle therapy has many benefits

When a person has limited mobility thanks to an illness, injury or diagnosis, it can be difficult to find ways to help them incorporate mobility into their recovery. One possible source of mobilization for a variety of different patients is a cycle trainer. This portable and compact piece of equipment can be adjusted in order to work both the upper body and lower extremities. This means that even if a patient is only able to use either their arms or legs, they’ll be able to use a cycle trainer to strengthen what they are able to.

Although there are many ways to incorporate movement into a recovery plan, a cycle trainer is a natural choice for many patients. This home-based exerciser offers several options to a user. For example, the arm ergometer assists a user in strengthening their arms, even if their legs aren’t up to the task.

There are several benefits to incorporating an active passive cycle trainer into an early mobilization strategy.

• Can improve bowel and bladder function
• Increases metabolism and improves digestion
• Strengthens muscles
• Improves respiratory muscles which can lead to better breathing and reduced risk of pneumonia
• Can be used at home and in small spaces
• Provides both passive and active support, depending on the needs of the patient
• Can be customized to provide focused training to just one side of the body or both equally

Early mobilization is worth the effort

Although the effort of early mobilization can seem overwhelming and unnecessary so soon in the recovery process, the benefits that it can bring are well worth the time. Once the initial hurdle of admittance has been overcome, creating a mobilization plan will make the path to recovery feel more manageable. Having a task to complete each day can provide both the patient and their caregivers a goal to work towards together.

For people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, maintaining daily physical activity is an important part of managing the progression of the disease. However, as the effects of the disease do progress, it can become more difficult to keep up with a routine that gets them active. When taking part in traditional activities becomes more difficult, using an active passive cycle as part of their therapy can help to slow down the negative effects that come with an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s and dementia: Are they the same thing?

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder that gets progressively more severe over time. It is usually characterized by memory loss, agitation, anxiousness, a lack of balance, incoordination, bowel and bladder problems and often depression.

Dementia isn’t a specific disease on its own, it’s more of general term used to categorize the reduced ability to remember, think and make day to day decisions. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common kinds of dementia, however it’s not the only one. Dementia symptoms can vary quite a bit from one person to the next however many will have problems with short-term memory, paying attention, remembering the correct words, misplacing objects and feeling disoriented.

Physical exercise is beneficial for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients

Physical exercise has been shown in many studies to have a positive effect in the treatment and prevention of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Not only does it help maintain brain efficiency and size, it can also help prevent against common Alzheimer’s disease by-products like stroke, obesity and hypertension.

Physical activities like walking, running, biking, swimming and stretching have shown to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia. All adults should aim to spend 30-60 minutes, 2 to 4 times a week performing some sort of physical exercise in order to help ward off and reduce the severity of these diseases.

Active passive cycling for Alzheimer’s patients

One of the easiest and most adaptable exercises for someone with decreasing mobility and balance is cycling. Although they may not be able to hop on a bicycle and head out for a ride, an at-home cycle trainer allows users to experience the same benefits.

An active passive cycle trainer can be easily used by those who can still move around independently as well an someone who is in a wheelchair or unable to move themselves around. It can be significant tool in helping aging adults maintain their health.

The MedUp V2 cycle trainer allows those with Alzheimer’s and dementia to exercise daily, whether they need the support of an active assist setting or are able to control the effort themselves. A simple activity like cycling is an ideal exercise for those with Alzheimer’s disease as they will be able to participate regardless of how cognitively present they are. Those with more advanced levels of dementia will be able to use the increased settings of active-assist and passive movement to maintain some regular physical activity.

The key to introducing activity to someone dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia is to introduce it slowly and at a time when they are at their best mentally. Often patients will have strong cognition at a certain time of day, so that is the best time to incorporate the cycle trainer into their routine. Starting with just 5 or 10 minutes a day depending on their mobility level can help them warm up to the habit both physically and mentally.

Benefits of physical activity for Alzheimer’s patients

Physical activity is beneficial for people of any age and fitness level, however it’s especially important for Alzheimer’s patients and those suffering from dementia. There are many direct benefits that they are likely to experience including:

• Improved heart health which can reduce the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure
• Reduced risk of some cancers, stroke and diabetes
• Increased ability to perform regular daily activities like getting dressed, cooking, cleaning, and eating independently
• Improved bone health leading to a reduced risk of developing osteoporosis
• Improved physical fitness, leading to stronger muscles, more flexible joints and an increased opportunity for independence
• Improved brain health including better memory, reduced feelings of depression and an overall reduction in the rate of mental decline.
• Reduced likelihood of neurological deficits
• Increased confidence in their ability to carry on with their day-to-day lifestyle
• Better sleep
• Can help improve the behaviour of the patient, preventing situations where they may wander off, act aggressively or use aggressive language

Active passive trainers are the perfect tool

There have been countless studies done to examine the link between physical exercise and a person’s memory, especially later in life. The overwhelming results show that regular exercise can reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s by upwards of 45%. One of the easiest and most accessible methods of achieving this regular exercise is through the use of an active passive trainer. This at-home cycle machine is an excellent way to keep aging adults moving in order to help prevent, combat or cope with the changes brought on by Alzheimer’s disease.

Physical therapy and exercise are a necessary part of day-to-day life when recovering from a stroke. A physiotherapist will work with a patient to recover some of their mobility, leading to an improved quality of life. Although there are many different exercises and tools one can use to help further their recovery from a stroke, one in particular has been shown to offer a significant benefit to nearly all patients. Cycling, both with the lower body and using an arm ergometer for the upper body, offers patients many benefits.

A stroke may affect mobility

A leading cause of long-term disability in adults is a stroke. One of the most common characteristics of a stroke is hemiparesis, or weakness or paralysis in one side of the body. With hemiparesis often comes the inability to walk without assistance and a dependence on others to complete daily activities like eating, bathing and dressing.

Reciprocal tasks like walking can be very difficult for stroke patients thanks to muscle weakness, spasticity, poor motor control and coordination, imbalance and loss of sensation.

After a stroke it is often recommended that the patient under go specific physiotherapy treatments as soon as possible in order to begin retraining their body to move properly, improve blood flow and maintain muscle strength.

Cycling for Stroke Patients

One of the more beneficial methods of exercise and rehabilitation for stroke patients is cycling. Using an at-home cycle trainer to stimulate the muscles in both arms and legs can help improve movement and walking ability in many ways, including:

• Stimulates reciprocal movement – Walking requires a continuous and repetitive motion that can be difficult or impossible to achieve post stroke. A cycle trainer forces a coordinated and symmetric movement with both legs that can lead to improvements in their gait over time.
• Can be used soon after a stroke – Until a patient is able to engage in gait training to start walking again, a cycle trainer can be used to help rebuild the muscles and brain pathways that have been damaged.
• Isn’t just for use in rehab – Even after daily and weekly therapy sessions are no longer required, a cycle trainer is a great tool for a healthy lifestyle. After a stroke it can be difficult for many patients to maintain an active lifestyle so incorporating time on a cycle trainer can help build a healthy routine. This daily active can even help to prevent repeated strokes.
• Very safe tool in stroke recovery – With a seated or standing cycling trainer there is no balance required so the risk and fear of falling is significantly reduced and most patients can use it almost entirely without assistance.
• Easy to track progress – Cycling outcomes are easy to track and see as a patient progresses from session to session.
• Easy to alter the training regimen – Most cycle trainers have adjustable settings which will allow the user to customize their training session to their specific needs. Adjusting the levels of resistance in order to focus on muscle building (high resistance, low reps) or cardiorespiratory fitness (low resistance, high reps) means that each user will receive a personalized and targeted therapy session.

What is an arm ergometer?

An arm ergometer is just a fancy name for an arm cycle or arm crank. This therapeutic tool allows users to push pedals with their hands and arms, both unassisted and with varying levels of assistance, in order to build muscle strength in the upper body. When a patient is unable to use traditional methods to maintain physical activity, stimulate blood flow and build muscle, the arm ergometer is a perfect option. It can be used while a person is either sitting or standing and will assist a therapist in understanding just how much work the users’ arms are capable of doing.

A cycle and arm ergometer for home use

While a physical therapist likely has a lower body cycle and an arm ergometer for use in the clinic, there is significant benefit to being able to complete some of your physical therapy in a home setting. For this reason, the MedUpV2 bike is an excellent option for stroke recover patients. This sturdy and portable cycle trainer can be used at home for both upper body and lower body training during stroke recovery.

Cycling therapy as part of stroke recovery

Research has shown that using an arm ergometer and leg cycle as part of a recovery plan after a stroke is beneficial for rehabilitation. They can help improve both arm and leg strength as well as cardiovascular health in stroke patients. An occupational therapist is able to customize a patient’s therapy by adjusting the cycle’s resistance to require more or less effort, or by reducing the frequency of breaks during the session. The goal of using an arm cycle is to help strengthen the arms and legs so that a stroke patient is better able to complete tasks like eating, dressing and walking.