January 31, 2025
A New Bike in the Rehab Gym Gives Way to Promising Moves and Momentum for Inglis House Residents
By Lauren Tilghman, Sheila Egan, and Danielle Paffett
Every day residents throughout Inglis House strive to maintain or increase their mobility with the support of different Physical and Occupational therapies available to them. Inglis recently purchased a MyoCycle Pro Plus Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Bike thanks to a generous $25,000 donation from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
An FES bike provides external impulses for users to regain or maintain muscle mass and mobility for structural or functional strength. Paralysis and spasticity are caused by a loss of electrical signals that tell muscles when to contract; an FES bike replaces these lost signals with electrical stimulation that helps muscles contract and produce functional movements.
For over 40 Inglis House residents this bike will help them strengthen muscles and joints that support their positioning and mobility (and ultimately their comfort) in bed and in their wheelchairs. It will also help decrease the chance of fractures or breaks for those with fragile bones. Most of all it is helping users improve their wellbeing while remaining as independent as possible.
Rose Bernard, Physical Therapy Assistant, preparing Ru Amagasu, Inglis House resident, for his therapy session on the MyoCycle Pro Plus FES bike.
“We have many residents motivated to work on restoring or maintaining certain abilities like sitting at the edge of the bed, transferring, standing or walking short distances,” shared Danielle Paffett, Director of Rehabilitation Services. “Although we have a lot of great equipment in the gym, the Myocycle is unique in how it targets and retrains weakened or damaged nerves and muscles.”
Those who would benefit from utilizing the bike are identified through quarterly assessments by the Rehabilitation team. Candidates for using the FES bike are evaluated and if they meet the requirements— they’ll work with a therapist to establish an individualized treatment plan including timing and frequency.
The bike was delivered in the Fall and so many residents are already reaping the benefits and gaining muscle strength.