BOSTON, Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Highland Instruments, Inc., ("Highland") today announced presentation of "Effects of Electrosonic Stimulation ("ESStim™") on the Perception of Chronic Pain Due to Osteoarthritis of the Knee", discussing Highland Instruments' ESStim™ technology during the 5^th International Symposium on Neuromodulation, held September 16-18, 2013 at Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Sao Paulo, Brazil. This research was conducted at the Spaulding Rehabilitation ("Spaulding") Hospital's Laboratory of Neuromodulation (Boston). Felipe Fregni¹, MD, PhD, MPH, was Lead Clinical Investigator. Dr. Fregni is the Director of the Laboratory of Neuromodulation at Spaulding and Associate Professor of PM&R and Neurology at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Felipe Fregni commented, "Our preliminary analysis in a series of 18 patients with osteoarthritis ("OA") of the knee demonstrated that ESStim has shown positive results in alleviating chronic pain in OA patients.  Patients that received Active ESStim™ showed significant effects lasting up to four weeks post stimulation."

About Osteoarthritis ("OA") of the Knee

OA is the most common form of knee arthritis in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away. OA affects nearly 27 million Americans (12.1% of the U.S. adult population)² and more than 10 million have OA in one or both knees³. The combined annual costs of knee and hip arthroplasty in 2007 are estimated to have been ~$15.6B based on data compiled by the Healthcare Costs and Utilization Project⁴.

About ESStim™

ESStim™⁵ is an innovative noninvasive brain stimulation technology that combines independently controlled electromagnetic and ultrasonic fields. The combined fields focus and boost neurostimulation currents via tuned electromechanical coupling in neural tissue. Preliminary ESStim™ studies have demonstrated a significantly improved duration and magnitude of stimulation effect compared to other reported dose-matched noninvasive stimulation modalities in electrophysiology, metabolic, and behavioral studies.

About the 5^th International Symposium on Neuromodulation

The International Symposium on Neuromodulation in partnership with the Mackenzie Presbyterian University (Sao Paulo, Brazil) is an international gathering of clinical and scientific experts in the field of neuromodulation.

About Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Spaulding is affiliated with Harvard Medical School, the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professionals, and Partners Health Care System. Spaulding is one of the largest rehabilitation hospitals of its kind in the United States, with 296 beds, more than 3000 inpatient admissions per year and a large outpatient service.

About Highland Instruments, Inc.

Highland Instruments is a privately held medical device company pioneering the development and commercialization of ESStim™, an innovative noninvasive electrosonic brain stimulation technology for the treatment of brain-based movement disorders as well as chronic pain management.

¹ Dr. Fregni has no financial interest in Highland Instruments.
² Arthritis Rheum. 2008;58(1):26-35.
³ http://www.synviscone.com/about-knee-osteoarthritis.aspx
⁴ http://hcupnet.ahrq.gov/HCUPnet.jsp
⁵ Patents Issued and Pending

SOURCE Highland Instruments, Inc.