Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. announced the publication of a white paper demonstrating that rehabilitative treatment with the Portable neuromodulation Stimulator ("PoNS(R") can drastically improve return-to-work (RTW) outcomes for patients suffering from TBI. Because PoNS Therapy has demonstrated the ability to improve balance and gait significantly in this underserved population, PBC contracted HTC to deliver treatment with PoNS to nine patients suffering from long-term TBI-related disabilities. The program participants included patients who were at least two years post-injury, who did not respond to standard rehabilitation treatments, and for whom RTW was not expected.

The study was designed to track and report occupational performance and durable (over six months) RTW status for the nine patients who received PoNS Therapy, which is administered by using a PoNS device to deliver mild electrical impulses to branches of the trigeminal and facial nerves via the tongue while the patient performs a set of rehabilitation exercises as instructed by a physical therapist. Key findings of the study include: Five out of nine (56%) participants returned to work; Four of those five (80%) returned to their prior occupations full-time for at least six months; Six of the nine (67%) study participants experienced a clinically significant improvement in balance and gait; Eight of nine (89%) said that balance and gait was no longer a barrier to return to work; Three of six (50%) participants who indicated headaches were a barrier to work saw a reduction in the severity of their headaches; PBC estimated that the five individuals who returned to work saved the provider approximately $1.6 million in long-term disability claims.