Introducing PoNS®
Introducing PoNS, a neuromodulation therapy for people with multiple sclerosis (MS)
Over 70% of people with MS develop trouble with their gait (ability to walk). This can have a big impact on simple day-to-day activities such as grocery shopping, walking to the mailbox, playing with the kids—even answering the phone on time.
PoNS, short for Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator, is an orally applied therapy delivered by neurostimulation through a mouthpiece connected to a portable controller. It’s used, primarily at home, with physical rehabilitation exercise and improves walking in people with multiple sclerosis. Combined with physical rehabilitation exercise, PoNS significantly improves your gait—to help keep you active and independent.1-3
Individual results and experiences may vary.
Watch how PoNS can help you
Get back in step with life
PoNS FAQs
Is PoNS right for me?
If you have MS and you are having trouble with your gait, PoNS combined with physical rehabilitation exercise improves walking.1-3 Take the assessment to find out if you should talk to your doctor about the benefits of starting therapy with PoNS.
Individual results and experiences may vary.
How PoNS works
PoNS, short for Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator, is an innovative medical device. It includes a controller and mouthpiece that delivers mild stimulation to the surface of the tongue. This stimulation triggers a flow of neural impulses to the brain structures that control gait. PoNS is to be used in conjunction with physical rehabilitation exercise, referred to as PoNS Therapy®.
Use of PoNS while engaging in movement and coordination tasks promotes neuromodulation and neuroplasticity, activating brain pathways to improve gait.
What to expect with PoNS
In a clinical trial, individuals with mild to moderate MS and gait deficit who used PoNS along with PT for 14 weeks showed significant improvements in their gait compared to a sham device and PT.
In His Words
“After living with MS since 1999, gait difficulties took away my most valued treasure: quality adventures with my 13-year-old daughter. My focused PoNS therapy helped me improve my walking, and as a result of my improved walking I experienced freedoms such as increased walking speed, endurance, and distance. As a reward for her support and motivation, Rogue and I will vacation in New York City to walk the streets of Manhattan and enjoy our favorite Broadway musicals! Thank you for the experiences I thought were lost forever.”
Mariska Breland
“I was diagnosed 22 years ago after having double vision and numbness in my feet. One of my biggest flare-ups was foot drop and numbness – particularly on my left side – which caused significant mobility issues.”
“PoNS Therapy was hard at the beginning, but once I got into the groove and was doing the exercises daily, the difficulty fell away – particularly once I started seeing results. For instance, seeing the toes on my left foot move again for the first time in years really motivated me to see how much more they’d move the next day. I’m walking as I was 10 years ago, with minimal foot drop. I’ve gone on walks where I don’t catch my foot at all – and I can’t remember the last time that happened. It’s easier to walk up and down stairs – and I can do so without holding the rail the whole time. I can stand on my left foot without falling over, lift the toes on my left foot and lift my foot and move it in a circle, all of which I haven’t been able to do for years. I’m also able to lift my leg higher, overcoming weaknesses in my hamstring and hip flexors, making it easier to do things like step into a pair of pants.”
Kerrie Walters
“I have been living with MS for 35 years and have just completed my 14 week of PoNS Therapy. I am impressed with the results. The difference is apparent on before- and after- videos of me on the treadmill, and I feel steadier and more self-assured in my overall ability to move. I feel my improved gait since PoNS has led me to attempt things such as parking further from an entrance to a store or across the street from my destination instead of circling the block to find a closer spot. As a result of my improved walking, I was able to participate in a more active excursion on my vacation, such as walking, swimming, and scrambling through an underground cave in the Yucatan. My starting speed on the treadmill went from 1.3 to 2.6 during the protocol. PoNS Therapy was a serious commitment of time and energy but the improvements in my gait, at least for me, have changed my life.”
Seeing Progress
“As someone who has had MS for over 40 years, I viewed PoNS® as something to not only expand my rehabilitation routine, but to push me both physically and mentally.”
“While I encountered barriers along the way and progress was slow and steady, my walking with assistance is much better when completing my exercises and daily activities.”
Modified Approach
“I will say that the PoNS® program was quite a vigorous workout for me, especially the first few weeks.”
“Propel Physiotherapy did a great job prescribing and modifying the exercises to suit my condition. My walking distance (with a rollator) improved substantially.”
Customized Care
“Though filled with hope when first learning about PoNS®, I had convinced myself to take the ‘wait and see’ approach.”
“Then I found Novah Healthcare, with Clinic Director Dr. Trung Ngo and Resident Physiotherapist Asha Chaudhary. Their altruistic approach and flexibility to my availability were amazing. As a result of the customized program they put together with the PoNS® device, there was significant improvement in my gait.”
Helpful Resources
Find a Clinic
PoNS® is administered by physical therapists who have undergone specific training.
Find the clinic closest to you.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Ready to talk to your physician about PoNS?
Download our guide to talking to your doctor.
REFERENCES
- Tyler ME, Kaczmarek KA, Rust KL, Subbotin AM, Skinner KL, Danilov YP. Non-invasive neuromodulation to improve gait in chronic multiple sclerosis: a randomized double blind controlled pilot trial. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2014;11:79.
- Leonard G, Lapierre Y, Chen J-K, Wardini R, Crane J, Ptito A. Noninvasive tongue stimulation combined with intensive cognitive and physical rehabilitation induces neuroplastic changes in patients with multiple sclerosis: a multimodal neuroimaging study. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2017;3(1):2055217317690561.
- Helius Medical, Inc a Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) Real-World Evidence Study August 2, 2020.