Clinical Case Study: v-health Mobile in Complex Neurological Rehabilitation
In April 2025, a clinical case study was conducted in the Midlands, UK, to explore the application of v-health Mobile in supporting complex neurological rehabilitation across a range of conditions, including stroke, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury.
Problem:
Patients with neurological conditions often experience:
Severe upper limb impairments, including spasticity, shoulder subluxation, and limited functional movement.
Frustration and non-compliance due to traditional wired FES systems, which are visually intrusive, physically restrictive, and difficult to manage.
Therapists report low confidence in FES use, fearing patient discomfort or unrealistic expectations.
Solution:
v-health Mobile offers a wireless, customisable FES solution designed to:
Allow patients or therapists to easily initiate stimulation via manual mode or game-based modes.
Enable on-task stimulation throughout movement phases (e.g., reach, grasp, transfer).
Remove the burden of wires, increasing comfort and mobility during therapy.
Adapt stimulation parameters according to muscle groups, severity of condition, and rehabilitation goals.
Clinical Applications:
1.Shoulder Subluxation & Hemiparesis (Stroke Patient)
Patient: 75-year-old female, 2 years post stroke.
Condition: Right-side paralysis, painful shoulder due to subluxation.
FES Integration:
v-health Mobile: Custom sequence
2-channel FES
Parameters adjusted (low frequency, higher pulse width) for comfort.
Target Muscles:
Channel A: Anterior & Posterior Deltoid
Channel B: Supraspinatus & Middle Deltoid
Outcome: Active support of the joint, improved scapular tone, and pain relief.
2. Spasticity in Upper Limb (Stroke & Cerebral Palsy Patients)
Condition: Flexor pattern with high tone
FES Integration:
v-health Mobile: Raccoon Rush game to drive activation while the therapist stretched the limb.
2-channel FES
Target Muscles:
Channel A: Wrist/Finger Extensors
Channel B: Triceps
Outcome: Active stretch was sustained longer, spasticity was reduced, and clients enjoyed interactive, game-based therapy.
3. Functional Training (Stroke & Spinal Cord Injury Patients)
Goals:
Grasp and release using wrist flexors/extensors.
Functional reach with deltoid, triceps, and wrist extensor pairing.
Hand-to-mouth task with wrist/elbow flexion.
Chair push-ups using triceps in manual mode.
FES Integration:
v-health: Custom Sequence and Manual Mode
2-channel FES
Target Muscles:
Wrist flexors/extensors
Wrist/elbow flexors
Deltoid
Triceps
Outcome: Clients performed task-oriented movements with assistance, building coordination and reducing effort.
4. Lower Limb Rehabilitation (Stroke Patient)
Goals:
Support standing and walking post-neuro injury
FES Integration:
v-health Mobile: Manual Mode
2-channel FES
Target Muscles:
Quadriceps
Dorsiflexors
Outcome: Wireless setup allowed more natural, unobstructed movement during lower limb rehabilitation.
Clinician Insights
Lucy Redman emphasised that FES should always be goal-oriented, based on:
Muscle condition (acute vs. chronic stage)
Number of stimulation channels required
Type of movement dysfunction or spasticity pattern
FES is most effective when combined with:
Conventional physical therapy
Pharmacological treatments (e.g., botulinum toxin)
Functional task practice (reach, hold, push, walk)
Conclusion
Lucy Redman’s case studies highlight the clinical versatility of v-health Mobile in neurorehabilitation. By reducing barriers to use and aligning with modern neuroplasticity principles, v-health Mobile empowers both therapist and client to pursue more functional, engaging, and effective therapy.
Clinician Profile
Lucy Redman, Neurological Physiotherapist
20+ years of clinical experience
Specialist in FES since 2008
Former clinician at a dedicated FES service
Experienced in upper and lower limb rehabilitation using electrical stimulation