Columns The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias Could a Tongue Stimulator Help to Improve Your Walking? Could a Tongue Stimulator Help to Improve Your Walking? by Ed Tobias | August 14, 2020 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link The idea doesn’t seem very appealing to me, but a company is seeking approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a product that might help people with MS walk better by mildly stimulating the tongue. The portable neuromodulation stimulator (PoNS) is a flat device about half the size of a credit card, with electrodes on the end. Placed on the tongue, the stimulator sends a mild electrical current through the tongue as a pathway to the brainstem. The hope is that the electrical signals will increase the brain’s neuroplasticity, its ability to rewire itself to bypass damaged nerves and recreate connections by using others. PoNS isn’t used all the time or when a patient is alone. Rather, the treatment incorporates 20 minutes of brain stimulation into physical or occupational therapy, along with cognitive exercises. It’s hoped that the combination of therapy and stimulation will improve balance and gait in people with multiple sclerosis. MS is a “disease with a significant unmet medical need, particularly in addressing associated gait dysfunction,” said Philippe Deschamps, CEO of Helius Medical Technologies, the company that makes the device. Deschamps hopes the PoNS unit will give people with MS “a non-drug, non-implantable treatment that has the potential to significantly improve their ability to walk.” Not a done deal The company’s FDA application is the first of a two-step process. If the FDA determines the product to be safe and effective, it will assign a risk classification and approve PoNS for sale in the U.S. The Canadian government already has cleared the PoNS device for short-term treatment in that country. Risk versus benefit I’ve used a different type of electrical stimulation for my MS, a Bioness L300 Go. This device stimulates a nerve in my leg to help raise my left foot, which drags when I walk. I’ve had mixed results, and the stimulation can be uncomfortable. I haven’t found information about how patients in clinical trials of the PoNS device have reacted to electrical stimulation of their tongue. But knowing how sensitive my tongue is when I accidentally bite it, I think I’d have a little trepidation before using this device. On the other hand, if it would help my balance and gait, I might try it. PoNS could be one more risk-benefit decision for people with MS. What would you do if offered this new treatment? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Also, you’re invited to visit my personal blog at: www.themswire.com. *** Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Print This Page About the Author Ed Tobias People say to write what you know and Ed Tobias knows about MS. He's lived with the illness since 1980, when he was 32 years old. Ed's a retired, award-winning broadcast journalist and his column combines his four decades of MS experiences with news and comments about the latest in the MS community. In addition to writing his column, Ed is one of the patient moderators on the MS News Today Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram sites. He’s also the author of “The Multiple Sclerosis Toolbox: Hints and Tips for Living with M.S.” Ed and his wife split their time between the Washington, D.C. suburbs and Florida’s Gulf Coast, trying to follow the sun. Tags electrical stimulation, Helius Medical Technologies Comments gwen hamer Montel Williams hs had some success with PONS and has promoted it in the past. Reply Debbie O'Rourke I have read and tried following Helius Medical as much as I can. I would love the opportunity to trial the PoNS device. I have foot drop through MS. I feel this is a bit of hope that I'm clinging on to. Debbie O'Rourke. Dublin, Ireland. Reply Ed Tobias Hi Debbie, The device isn't intended for an individual to use. It's designed to be used by a health care professional along with therapy. Ed Reply Susie Lind I would like to try this device as my biggest problem of my MS symptoms is my MS Reply Ed Tobias Hi Susie, I think that this device, if approved, will be something that a medical professional uses in conjunction with therapy. It wouldn't be something that you can go out and buy. Ed Reply David Hi, I reviewed the trials for MS that Helios did and, in my opinion, are weak and don’t show significant improvement, in anything, for MS specifically. Am I missing something? Reply Lisa Scroggins I first read about this technology in the book, “The Brain’s Way of Healing Itself,” by Dr. Norman Doidge. It was intriguing & I would love to have access to a PONS device. Neuro plasticity may be the only option for those of us using rollators and continuing to worsen. Reply Uwe Is it available in Germany yet? Regards Uwe Reply Leah Kamere Hi, I live in Ireland and would like to take part in the trial to use this device Reply Elizabeth Any idea where the US trials are being held? I'd love to be in on them. I understand that PoNS therapy is not a silver bullet, but some improvement would be better than no improvement, and if I can accomplish that through something non-implantable and non-chemical, I'd be willing to deal with a good bit of discomfort and any amount of hard work. Reply Ed Tobias Elizabeth and Leah, As far as I know all trials have ended. The next step will be FDA approval (or disapproval) for use by therapists. Ed Reply M. Vogelgesang They had trials in Wisconsin and had great results with people walking on a treadmill for 20 minute sessions. The results were so good the military took the device to try on traumatic brain injury patients, which is were the device has been for awhile. Glad that it is back in the news. Appears to be safe and not painful. Reply Bonnie Trown I would love to try it. Reply Nona Horswell Hi, I met Norman Doidge, author of “The brains way of healing” at a talk he gave in London about 10 years ago. He talked about the PONS machine and showed a film of it being used on a patient with severe balance issues. I was really impressed and set my heart on trying it. Unfortunately neither my Neurologist or GP are familiar with it. I have been following Helios for several years but unfortunately progress seems so slow. I have MS and can’t wait to try it!!! Reply Marie Lippman My neurologist mentioned this and I'm intrigued. I have drop foot on my right side and I'm currently using a Walk Aid. It helps alot, but I still have to use a walker. Reply Charles Lumia I would definitely try it. I was in PT before the coronavirus stuff hit and that seemed to help a bit with my balance. Anything that has the possibility of helping is worth trying for me. Reply Sheree I would sign up in a minute. I was a regular subject at a PT school before the virus. Reply Dina Ackerman I have MS and tried the device that stimulates your leg (for drop-foot) 20? Years ago. I did not like he uncomfortable shock-like feeling behind my knee, so did not continue with that. Now my drop-foot ihas gotten much worse. The only thing that helps me is repeated Physical Therapy. I would like to try this method (on your tongue, and will ask my Neurologist about it! Reply Julie⁸ Freeman I do not go to pt but do go to pilates to relearn some things. It would be interesting to give i a try. The pilates coach is also a pt Reply Doris Simmons My Husband has had a TBI stroke. He needs help. How can we get I contact with this device near Kansas City. Thank yo, Doris Simmons Reply Ed Tobias Hi Doris - This device is for use by a physical or occupational therapist as part of rehabilitation. I would suggest you speak with your husband's neurologist about it. Ed Reply Leave a comment Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published. Your Name Your Email Your Comment Post Comment
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