GyroStim
Neuroscience Group is proud to bring the first GyroStim machine to Wisconsin. Gyrostim is a versatile, non-invasive, and cost-effective way to treat balance and vestibular disorders, concussion, TBI, and other neurological conditions. It can also be utilized to enhance sports performance.
What is GyroStim?
GyroStim is a treatment option that utilizes a rotating chair, which moves in multiple directions and speeds, to stimulate the brain and body. This device is designed to provide specific types of sensory input to the brain and stimulate neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections.
GyroStim is often used as a therapeutic tool for individuals with neurological conditions and concussions. By providing controlled sensory input and challenging the individual’s balance and coordination, GyroStim can promote improved cognitive function, balance, and coordination, as well as enhance athletic performance.
GyroStim is the latest treatment approved by the FDA as a Breakthrough Medical Device and has been aiding individuals across various demographics in recovering from symptoms related to head injury, illness, advanced age, and other conditions. Neuroscience Group is proud to have the first machine in the state. As a comprehensive, multi-specialty clinic, the GyroStim complements the current treatments offered.
Benefits of GyroStim
Promotes Quicker Recovery
GyroStim can promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections. This can lead to improved cognitive function, balance, and coordination, helping patients return to work and daily activities sooner.
Versatile Treatment
GyroStim is a versatile treatment that can benefit those with concussions or traumatic brain injuries, neurologic conditions, and even athletes.
Cost-Effective
Compared to traditional therapies and medical interventions, GyroStim provides results with shorter treatment times and fewer necessary sessions which saves both time and money.
Who Benefits from GyroStim Treatment?
GyroStim treatments have been shown to provide benefits to a wide range of individuals with different conditions. The following are the most common:
- Individuals with concussions or traumatic brain injuries: Use GyroStim to promote recovery by stimulating the brain and reducing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and balance issues.
- Individuals with neurological conditions: It has been found that GyroStim is helpful for individuals with neurological conditions such as, balance and vestibular disorders as it can promote neuroplasticity and improve motor skills.
- Athletes: Use GyroStim to improve their balance, coordination, and athletic performance.
GyroStim is a versatile treatment that has the potential to help a wide range of people, and ongoing research is exploring additional potential applications for the device.
“From the very first day that I sat in the chair, my balance issues began to resolve dramatically. And within two or three visits, they have not recurred once. My brain fog has also decreased significantly, and it’s a blast to do!”
– Jill, Patient
Conditions Treated with GyroStim
Neuroscience Group currently offers treatment for the following conditions using the technology:
Vestibular Disorders:
- Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
- Labyrinthitis/Neuritis
- Cervicogenic Dizziness
- Head and Neck Trauma
- Mal de Debarquement
- Unilateral and Bilateral Vestibular Loss
- Motion Sickness
- Post-Concussion Syndrome
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Acquired Brain Injury
Dysautonomia
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Sports Performance:
- Motor/Sensory Skill Training
- Improve ability to perceive, process and react
- Game Focus
- Spatial Awareness
- Reaction Speed
Receive complete concussion treatment with the experts at Neuroscience Group.
GyroStim is part of our complete concussion care program. The goal of our program is to evaluate, diagnose, and treat the myriad of symptoms associated with brain injury to get patients back to living their life faster, post concussion.
What to Expect at a GyroStim Appointment
A typical GyroStim therapy session lasts around 30 minutes and comprises one or more therapeutic stimulations, also known as “runs,” each lasting between 15 to 60 seconds. Between each run, there is a rest period followed by a progress assessment. At the beginning of the therapy, everyone starts with slow, predictable, non-inverting motion profiles to allow patients of all levels to experience the therapy without feeling motion discomfort or sensory overload.
The GyroStim machine is equipped with multiple laser-detecting targets, and during a run, the patient may be asked to use a handheld laser pointer to hit as many targets as possible. Each hit is recorded by the GyroStim software for processing and displaying on the monitor. Patients may also be tasked with engaging in cognitive challenges while attempting to hit targets. The combined motions and targeting activity challenge the performance of the sensorimotor system running throughout the human body and brain, including visuomotor, visuospatial, and visuocognitive performance. The laser target detection system generates a score of the patient’s number of target hits, providing a quantifiable measure of their ability to respond to each level of motion intensity, making the sessions fun while motivating patient effort.
At the end of each run, the patient’s subjective responses, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, brain fog, and other possible symptomatic responses, are recorded and assessed together with the objective response, i.e., target hits per minute. This information is then used by the GyroStim operator to assess how well the patient is responding to the current level of intensity of therapy and for guidance on how best to proceed with the next run.
“I had a significant motor vehicle accident that resulted in TBI. GyroStim has been incredibly helpful in moving me on in the next stage of my recovery. I feel like it has enhanced my coordination and my ability to focus. It has helped to reduce my brain fog. I am halfway through it, and I am excited to see where it ends.”
– Jake, Patient
FAQs
Can I use Gyrotim without doing PT/SLP/OT?
GyroStim is part of our comprehensive concussion clinic; we do not recommend using it alone. While it is a valuable tool, it works best in conjunction with physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. It helps reinforce the exercises and treatments patients are doing with their therapists. It is also important to rule out other challenges and safety concerns, such as BPPV and significant vision impairments before starting GyroStim treatments. If a patient is struggling with either of those, it is difficult to proceed very far with GyroStim treatments as it will limit their ability to handle increased stimulation and can worsen their symptoms. It is a team effort to safely and effectively treat the patient.
How many sessions are recommended?
We recommend 10 sessions to start. Any session will have benefit to a patient, but just like other therapies, practice makes perfect and helps reinforce gains. Some patients will improve quickly, and some will take more time. Continuing and doing more sessions is always a possibility, and our providers are in regular communication about what is best for the patient.
What is the cost of GyroStim treatments?
At this time, it is a cash pay treatment. We are hoping with continued research, eventually insurance will agree to pay. It is $180 per session, and a patient is required to speak with our billing department and agree to a payment contract. If a patient chooses to pay for all 10 sessions in advance, a 7% discount is applied. If a patient paid in advance, and it is clinically determined that a patient is not tolerating GyroStim treatments, a refund will be given for unused sessions.
What does a typical GyroStim session look like?
- Update history, vitals and VOMS baselines: headache, dizziness, nausea, brain fog
- Warm-up level while hitting targets using only one laser in the dominant hand
- Ask VOMS questions after every run (after 50 second timer)
- Increase levels, usually at 15-30 second runs to achieve new high level as tolerated
- Following high level, come down to their mid-level range, begin cognitive challenges: bilateral, alternating lasers, saying sequences while hitting targets, categorical word recall, memory recall, following commands
- Endurance training by increasing the length of time for a run by 30, 60 seconds or more
- Cool down run using only single laser
Following GyroStim session:
- If stable walking and no significant new symptoms, patients are discharged
- If unstable, patient does walking with assistance and monitoring for symptom decrease
