Researchers testing vibrating technology to help stroke patients [Video]

Nearly 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A common challenge for stroke patients in recovery is spasticity, or severe muscle stiffness. Spasticity affects roughly a quarter of all stroke patients.

In the days following a stroke, a patient’s muscles, especially in the arms and legs, are often weak and limp. Then a few weeks later, this involuntary stiffness sets in. It peaks at about three months after, and patients can get stuck in positions that hurt badly and lead to disability.

Researchers are testing vibrating technology to help patients get unstuck.

Ho Wei Tsang suffered a stroke in October of 2000 while in China. It left much of his left side paralyzed.

“They have a very good therapist and they teach me how to walk again. It’s very frustrating. But luckily I still have my right side,” he said.

He still deals with spasticity. The severe …