Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where do I send the prescription?
A: Address: Zynex Medical, 8022 SouthPark Circle, Littleton 80120 or Fax: (800) 495-6695

Q: Do I need a prescription?
A: YES. This is a FDA requirement. We need a copy of a physician's prescription before we can send the unit. It should say NeuroMove™ therapy and not muscle-stim or biofeedback.

Q: Can the NeuroMove™ be used at home?
A: YES. The NeuroMove™ is especially suited for home use. The device is self-adjusting, so there should be no adjustments necessary. In some cases a longer rest-period is desirable to allow for a longer time to relax.

Q: My physician/therapist tells me that I have reached a "plateau" and that I should not expect more improvement.
A: All patients in the clinical studies were more than six months post-stroke. One clinical study concludes that there is no relationship between the results and the time since the stroke.

Q: My stroke was several years ago. Will the NeuroMove™ work for me?
A: Clinical research shows that there is no relationship between the time since the stroke and results.

Q: Is this like a Tens unit?
A: NO. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is only electrical stimulation used for pain relief. TENS has no effect whatsoever on stroke recovery.

Q: Is this like regular muscle stimulation?
A: NO, the stimulation is only applied WHEN the patient comes up with a REAL attempt to move the muscle, and only then the stimulation is applied for typically five seconds. There is no muscle training involved with this small amount of stimulation; it is merely a replacement for any other reward such as giving the patient a piece of candy, etc. This is found to be the most effective form of feedback, as the patient can see that he/she can actually make a difference and move the muscle - just by thinking about it. Some patients also benefit from the sensory feedback in addition to the visual.

Q: Is this like regular biofeedback?
A: NO, regular EMG (electromyography) may in some cases also have a very sensitive input, but for most other applications the input signals are filtered and averaged (RMS) so that the small changes do not affect a steady and clear reading for monitoring. For stroke survivors - some of whom have nearly no EMG activity or a lot of muscle tone with high background "noise" - regular EMG/biofeedback will not stand a chance of detecting the changes that indicate a real attempt from the brain. The NeuroMove measures peak values in the EMG and has a very fast input circuitry. Instead of averaging the input it does the opposite -it looks for a pattern in the small changes that indicate a real attempt. A very effective demonstration of this is when a non-patient actually triggers the NeuroMove just by thinking about it and imagining a movement.

Q: I have a lot of muscle tone. Will it help?
A: NeuroMove therapy often reduces the muscle tone or spasms, mainly due to the muscle stimulation that is applied 20-50 times during the half hour session. You may call this a "side-effect".

Q: When does NeuroMove therapy not work?
A: When a patient is not cognitively intact, confused, not able to concentrate on simple tasks or is simply not motivated (Note: sometimes other family members or friends more than the patient) - Since it is "brain exercise" it does not work without motivation and concentration.

Q: Is it complicated to set up?
A: No. The procedure for each 30-minutes session is:


• Put the three self-adhesive electrodes over the muscle (the position is not significant, as the input is automatically adjusted continuously).
• Turn on the device and turn the stimulation level up slowly for a comfortable contraction of the muscle.
• Think very hard about moving the fingers, wrist, shoulder, foot or whichever muscle is being worked on. Only when there is a real attempt will the muscle move for 5 seconds, then the display tells the patient to relax for 12 seconds (changeable). After relaxing, it returns to "Ready" and it is ready for the next attempt (relaxing is just as important as concentrating). This is how the entire 30 minutes are spent!

Q: Is it painful?
A: No. Electrical stimulation, which is a part of the "reward for trying hard", is applied using the latest stimulation technology. Older technology stimulation devices have a reputation for a "biting" sensation, which is usually not experienced with modern technology. The NeuroMove also incorporates safety features that prevent unintentional stimulation and electrode alarm.

Q: Are the electrodes attached to the head?
A: No. NeuroMove therapy is teaching healthy parts of the brain to relearn the lost functionality. The signals are picked up on the skin over the muscles that the user is attempting to move. E.g. on the lower forearm to increase wrist extension.

Q: How often do I need to replace the batteries?
A: Never - the internal battery only needs recharging every 4-6 weeks with normal use.

Q: How often do I need to replace the electrodes?
A: The electrodes that come with the unit are reusable, often 20-40 times. These kind of electrodes are best treated by adding 10-15 drops of tap water after each treatment and then being placed back on the plastic pad.

Q: Can I lease the NeuroMove for a short period instead of purchasing the device?
A: Yes. We have four different Lease-to-Own programs, starting at $99.00 per month. Check the section "Order Form" above for the different plans. All of our Lease-to-Own plans have a no-obligation feature, where you can return the NeuroMove at any time and have no obligations to pay any further, no questions asked. Payments up to that point are non-refundable.

Q: Do you bill my insurance plan?
A: Yes, we may bill your insurance plan depending on our experience with the particular plan. We do currently now bill Medicare. We may bill for monthly rental or purchase depending on the prescription and medical necessity. Your payments in the Lease-to-Own plans are similar to physician co-payments at the time of service. Should we eventually be reimbursed more than the full purchase price, including your and the insurance payments, we will refund you the difference. Payments from the insurance plan will reduce the total balance owed on the lease plan and thus enable you to own the NeuroMove sooner, if you decide to keep it that long. We will be asking patients with Medicare as primary insurance to sign a consent form as Medicare is currently not expected to cover the device.

Q: Can I order the NeuroMove over the internet?
A: Yes. You may click on the "Order Form" button above and choose from any of the Lease-to-Own options or you may purchase it.

Q: What does the FDA say?
A: The NeuroMove was approved in 2001 and is a form of treatment that has "Stroke Rehabilitation" as an indication for use. Read FDA market clearance.