STIIMP | STimulation Induced IMPlicit
Reinforce and reward the use of the pathological limb
STIIMP | STimulation Induced IMPlicit
Reinforce and reward the use of the pathological limb
Intensify and diversify
upper limb rehabilitation
After a stroke, orthopaedic trauma or due to chronic pain, partial or total upper limb’s impairment has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. Deficits in arms, hands or fingers’ mobility and coordination create difficulties in carrying out daily activities such as eating, dressing and simple tasks.
Upper limb motricity is directly linked to independence and quality of life.
Every year, 85 millions people are affected by neurological disorders, leading to independence and autonomy loss.
Most of them will suffer after-effects: balance disorders, cognitive problems, etc. (Debelleix & al., 1997; Hendricks & al., 2002).
Studies show that intensity is a key factor in patient recovery. These same studies demonstrate intensity is not enough in current patients’ care pathway.
In daily practice, upper limb rehabilitation is based on different techniques such as:
- Visual Simulation Training (IVS technology)
- Passive mobilisation
- Task-oriented therapy
- CIMT (Constraint Induced Movement Therapy)
- Muscle strengthening
- FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation)
- Robot assisted therapy
“Motor learning is mainly ‘implicit’ by nature. The patient must become aware of his abilities on the injured limb and its usefulness, on his own.”
Pr. Mickael DINOMAIS
PMR, Angers Hospital, France
STIIMP – STimulation Induced IMPlicit
The concept of STimulation Induced IMPlicit (STIIMP) is based on the principles of activity-induced neuroplasticity and motor learning.
STIIMP uses smart and connected objects in order to recognise and reward patients for using their impaired limb, without strict mechanical constraints.
Objetivos de la rehabilitación
Stimulation Induced Implicit (STIIMP)
& Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) forces the use of the affected limb by restricting the healthy limb. This approach, recognised as effective in facilitating the use of the affected limb, can sometimes induce stress and frustration in patients. It is difficult to implement in rehabilitation programs due to limited inclusion criteria. Moreover, this approach only allows unilateral movements.
A CIMT protocol should include at least:
- Constraint during 6 hours per day
- Stimulation during 6 hours per week
Source : Yang & al. 2023
With its implicit and playful approach, STimulation Induced IMPlicit (STIIMP) encourages commitment, brain plasticity and a positive emotional climate, making rehabilitation more enjoyable and productive.
Using implicit approach encourages participation and learning. The implicit approach is based on discovery, intuition and awareness in order to do an action.
STIIMP stimulates patients in a playful and intuitive way with smart and connected objects. The device is based on implicit learning. A wide range of motor and cognitive, uni and bi-manual activities allows patients to work with one or both hands.
The technology recognises the pathological hand, and the device encourages patients to work with their deficient limb. Nothing will happen when patients use their healthy hand, but they will get feedbacks and be rewarded when using the impaired one.
Therapists remain essential in this unique therapy approach. They set up the program and announce the objective, not the way to achieve it. Patient find their own strategy for achieving it. The device is adapted to patients’ recovery in order to guide them according to their needs and not set them up to fail.
Watch STIIMP presentation with patients
Watch STIIMP presentation with patients
A unique technology,
pioneer in neuro-rehabilitation
+ autre photo R&D sur solidité dispositif
(foot avec John)
STIIMP was a complex technological challenge. It was ambitious to embed complex technologies in a constraint environment.
Smart and connected objects are able to:
- automatically detect the pathological hand
- detect patient’s movements: raise, shake, turn, touch, align, approach, target, insert, insert and turn
- detect and interact with each other
Two patents are associated to this device.
A large range of cognitive and motor activities
Motricity, Attention
Perception, Attention
Bimanual, Exploration
+70 exercices
already included in the device, allowing patients to work for several months, without being bored. AI used in this technology will adapt difficulty according to patients’ progresses.
Memory, Motricity
Fine dexterity, Executive functions
Cognitive flexibility, Motricity
Therapists can track patients’ activity and successes to make sure the exercises keep on stimulating patients.
STIIMP | Complementarity & Indications
STIIMP allows working on motor execution. This unique and patented technology is used in addition to other convention therapies and technologies.
- Visual Simulation Training (IVS)
- FES
- Robot-assisted therapy
The device can be used in conventional therapy, or during group therapy sessions.
Large inclusion criteria
- Neurology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Neurodegenerative
- Geriatrics
Why integrate STIIMP
in the care pathway?
1. Improve inclusion and movement repetition of the affected side, and without strict constraint
2. Uni-bilateral with various manual dexterity
3. Enriched environment and implicit learning
4. Cognitive and motor activities
5. Playful and intuitive
6. Inclusive for many pathologies and level of impairments
7. High level of clinical evidence
8. Use in sitting and standing position on the device ; and out of the device to make the patient explore his.her environment
9. Performance monitoring