YEARS AFTER A STROKE - PROGRESS: Device awaiting approval from FDA

It was a slam-dunk moment of triumph - in slow motion - as Jane Arena used both hands to raise the ball and drop it through the basketball hoop.
Her face, which had been frowning in determination, relaxed into a smile and her soft ‘‘Whoooh!’’ told the story.
Nine years ago, at age 43, the Norton mother had a stroke that paralyzed the right side of her body. After months of therapy, she learned to speak and walk again but still couldn’t use her right arm and hand.
Then three months ago, Arena’s former therapist at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital told her about a new robotic arm brace the hospital is testing.
After six weeks of training with the Myomo e100 robotic brace, Arena demonstrated some of her regained abilities with her right arm and hand. Arena is among five patients in a clinical trial at the hospital of the new high-tech robotic aid. Braintree Hospital, which treats 400 stroke patients a year, is among three test sites for the device. It has not been approved yet by the federal Food and Drug Administration and cannot be sold. An FDA decision is expected later this year
Arena, who completed her 18 hours of training this week, will continue to do arm exercises at home without the brace and will be evaluated in three months. Note: The Myomo e100 NeuroRobotic System is intended for clinical use by patients with their treating medical professional. The device has not been shown to be safe or effective as a functional aid for use in the home.