Clinical Case Study: Integrating v-health Mobile at Hobbs Rehabilitation
November 4, 2025
Case Overview
In October 2025, the Hobbs Rehabilitation clinic in Winchester conducted a case study of v-health Mobile with a patient as part of their neurorehabilitation program. The case, led by a senior neurological physiotherapist, focused on a 46-year-old man with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).
The patient presented with left-sided upper and lower limb weakness. He had recently begun using functional electrical stimulation (FES) for his lower limb during gait, with positive results. His upper limb had become the focus of therapy, as he was finding it increasingly difficult to reach for his laptop keyboard. His main impairments during reaching tasks included weakness in shoulder external rotation and flexion, forearm supination, and wrist and finger extension.
The aim of using v-health Mobile was to support upper limb activation and complement existing neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) approaches. Traditional FES devices were used at an impairment level to gain finger and wrist extension repetitions at home. The v-health Mobile was used for therapist-led functional movements, focusing on repetitive reach-and-grasp activities.
Custom Sequence mode was particularly valuable for timing agonists and antagonists and targeting both proximal and distal muscle groups; something that would have been difficult to achieve with traditional microstim devices. The visual feedback from the app further enhanced treatment precision and engagement.
Setup & Implemantation
Setting: Outpatient clinic
Setup Time: Less than 5 minutes for setup and calibration
Training: 90-minute group session provided by Ivan from Valkyrie
App & Device Setup: The eir bands connect seamlessly to the v-health app on a dedicated smartphone. The app is intuitive and user-friendly, and device synchronisation was trouble-free.
Duration: 3 sessions over 3 weeks
Ease of Use
Clinician Perspective: The v-health Mobile system was extremely easy to learn, apply, and adjust. The mobile app interface is well designed, both visually appealing and highly functional. The eir bands are lightweight, sleek, and easy to fit, with secure electrode connections. Adjustments within the app can be made quickly to tailor stimulation to individual needs. The only minor issue observed was that the electrodes lost adhesiveness faster than expected compared to other brands.
Patient Perspective: Feedback from the patient was positive. He found the bands comfortable, attractive, and appreciated the wireless design. The simplicity of setup and the effectiveness of stimulation contributed to motivation and engagement throughout therapy.
Observed Outcomes
Quantitative Results: Wrist and finger extension improved from 1/5 to 3/5. This reflected a notable gain in active movement strength. The therapist noted improved muscle conditioning and proprioceptive feedback through repeated stimulation. No adverse reactions reported.
Qualitative Results: The device produced strong, comfortable muscle contractions while maintaining isolation of targeted muscle groups. The patient achieved movements previously impossible without assistance, enabling meaningful reach and grasp exercises. The eir bands’ design and intuitive app encouraged engagement and confidence during therapy.
What Worked Well & Challenges
The Custom Sequence mode was particularly effective for functional, repetitive tasks involving multiple muscle groups. The app’s adjustability and real-time control enhanced the precision and value of therapy sessions. While electrode placement initially required some trial and error, this was quickly addressed using illustrated electrode placement guides available online, which provided practical visual support for setup and optimisation.
Comparison to Other NMES Systems
The eir bands’ wireless design, smartphone control, and adjustability offered a significant improvement over previous NMES systems. The absence of technical issues further reinforced clinician confidence.
These findings reflect feedback from Hobbs Rehabilitation clinicians at The MiNT Academy, who are experienced in evaluating novel rehabilitation solutions and providing structured early-adopter insights.
Future Implementation & Recommendations
The current games and trigger-based modes felt less task-relevant. Incorporating EMG or motion-triggered stimulation, where electrical stimulation assists patient-initiated contractions, could make sessions more functional and interactive, particularly for lower limb applications.
Home Use Potential: The clinician would feel confident prescribing Eir Bands v-health Mobile for home use on simpler, single-joint tasks. More complex, multi-joint functional activities would benefit from supervision to ensure correct settings and safety.
Long-Term Integration at Hobbs Rehabilitation: Eir Bands v-health Mobile is viewed as a valuable and versatile tool for upper limb functional rehabilitation. Patient trial or loan models could help integrate the technology into standard clinical practice.
About Hobbs Clinic:
Hobbs Rehabilitation is a leading neurological rehabilitation clinic in the UK, known for treating a wide range of conditions, including stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury. Their interdisciplinary team specialises in helping patients regain function through innovative therapies, and they have been early adopters of technologies.
About The MiNT Academy:
The MiNT Academy supports innovators by trialling novel rehabilitation technologies. Valkyrie approached MiNT in late 2024 to act as early adopters, leveraging our clinical experience with innovative solutions. We received devices and training in exchange for providing clinician and patient feedback through this case study.