Introducing Tailwind

Here you can learn about Tailwind^™, a unique device that clinical studies have demonstrated can permanently improve arm movement in stroke patients who have lost upper extremity function - even years after their stroke event. The device is also helpful in improving arm function following brain injury, tumor and cerebral palsy. Tailwind is a home-based exercise device developed by researchers at the University of Maryland Medical School.

Effective for Stroke Survivors

Tailwind consists of two handles that move along independent resistance-free tracks. The user moves the handles along each track from different starting marks - and has auditory cues to guide when to move his or her arms. It is a "sound-to-brain" neural pathway retraining approach that is theorised to help users with mild stroke symptoms achieve life-altering results.

First of a Kind for Stroke

Tailwind has been demonstrated in clinical studies to permanently improve arm movement in stroke patients who have lost upper extremity function. In published clinical studies, the science behind Tailwind was found to be a potentially useful solution in stroke rehabilitation. So don't let discouragement from years of rehab that did not deliver the results you wanted prevent you from trying new Tailwind. If you have the motivation to work with this device, research suggests it will work for you.

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Tailwind - BATRAC

An exercise device proven to improve arm movement in stroke survivors in as little as 6 weeks.
Based on the BATRAC technique

Rehabilitation
in your own hands

Product Page - Tailwind for Stroke Survivors

How can a stroke-survivor benefit from arm exercise?

Tailwind offers several key benefits to the recovering person following a stroke, including:

Significant improvement in motor skills function, giving way to a wider range of motion and improved strength at minimal risk.
Clinically-proven treatment that can be ordered by patients, without a prescription, physician referral, or the need to be fitted.
Ability to take recovery in their own hands by managing their own therapy in the comfort of home without the assistance of a physical therapist or caregiver.
Durable and lasting results.
For many persons, a noticeable improvement in the quality of life, such as restoring arm movement to once again perform everyday activities at work and at home with greater ease.

How does this differ from regular exercise?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has designated Tailwind as an exercise device for stroke patients. Stroke survivors frequently find that limited arm movement is one of the consequences of the condition. However, arm movement is often not top priority compared with other rehabilitation aims and the survivor may find that once other abilities have improved and stabilised, thenhe or she is still left with an arm that cant perform well.

Tailwind allows controlled exercise designed for people who want to improve their arm function and range of motion. Specifically, it is a therapy for stroke survivors or others who have experienced moderate arm paralysis on one side of the body.

Other exercise devices and machines may work the muscles, which Tailwind does too; but they don’t have the combined benefits of three different exercise therapies in one device.

Tailwind has been researched in clinical trials with real stroke patients. Trained Ph.D. researchers developed the arm exercise regimen and the progressive range of motion angles, with an understanding of muscles, stroke damage, and the expertise to guide patients toward improvement. The consistent movement performed with Tailwind, when synchronized with a sound cue, is believed useful in that proper Tailwind use results in permanent improvement of arm function in some patients.

How does Tailwind exercise work?

Tailwind is a non-invasive, portable and practical device that stroke patients can use on a flat surface at home.

The device consists of two handles that move along independent resistance-free tracks. The user moves the handles along each track at a certain starting mark, in response to auditory cues from a metronome. The combination of the repetitive arm movement with sound and visual cues is believed to trigger activity in the part of the brain that controls mobility in the arm. The retraining program includes instruction in adjusting the track further away from the user’s body as more arm mobility is gained over time.

There are progressively more difficult positions for the patient that can be performed with the Tailwind device, including increased range of motion and angled arm work.

Users chart their progress over the weeks of exercise. Six weeks training will produce results.

As a table-top device, stroke survivors can continue using Tailwind until they’ve reached their optimal level of gain in arm movement.

Safe and effective recovery is what counts.