Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Nexalin Field Study Final Report

Click the chart below to view large version



January 19 to Feb 2, 2008

Cori and Randy - Germany

DVDs with video interviews, photographs and daily logs are available from Parkinsons Rebels upon request

Feb 22, 2008

Cori and I have now been back from Germany for almost 3 weeks. Since returning I’ve reinstated my vitamin usage including Vitamin E, Vitamin C and 1200 units of Co-Q-10. It is also worth mentioning that I have, in coordination with my neurologist, modified my Sinemet intake reducing the intake of CR, controlled release, and increasing an effective equivalent amount of IR, instant release.

These changes being noted, it is worth mentioning that my general condition seems to have improved. These improvements include a reduction in pain, particularly in my neck. Also I seem to have a general feeling of increased energy with a reduction in afternoon and evening fatigue. These improvements are variable with subject to day-to-day fluctuations, as is typical of Parkinson’s. I mention these improvements anecdotally and have no idea if they are the result of Nexalin therapy, changes in my protocol, or just the normal cycle of Parkinson’s symptoms.

Accompanying this final report is a table which presents the before and after symptoms of the participating Parkinson’s patients in this review. It should be noted that although there were 7 participating in the study, there are only 6 with before and after evaluations. The one non-participant, did not speak English and had trouble communicating with the group.

The list of symptoms was developed by the participating patient’s and is in no way intended to be a scientific analysis. It is merely a representation of the most prevalent symptoms in the lives of these Parkinson’s patients at this point in time. The symptoms are subjectively rated by the participating patients as to severity and significance in their daily life. They are rated with a factor varying from 1 to 10, 1 being a modest effect on their daily life and 10 being a major effect to their daily life.

When comparing the before and after evaluations with each individual with their post therapy interview, it appears that there might be a disparity. Rick, Paul and Bill each indicated in their post-therapy interview that they had realized “significant improvement” from the Nexalin treatment. These three patients were very happy with the results.

Rick indicated that he had realized a significant reduction in anxiety, depression, dystonia, dyskinesia and tremor. His before and after analysis, shows a general reduction in symptoms, with a dramatic reduction in anxiety. Rick was elated with the program and indicated that he would return in the coming months and years. He also indicated that after his prior session with Nexalin he had cut his medication in half; and that he had reduced again after this visit.

On the before and after analysis of Paul you can see a modest reduction in all symptoms, with the exception of gait disorder. After his therapy sessions were complete Paul indicated that he was very happy with the results that he would be returning for Nexalin Therapy and he felt significant improvement. Unfortunately due to the time factor we were unable to videotape Paul after he completed his therapy program. Although Paul indicated significant improvements, from all appearances he looked unchanged. Paul’s predominate symptom is bradykinesia for which he noted substantial improvement. This does not mean that his bradykinesia is gone. It is also worthy of mention that Paul has never taken the standard pharmaceutical protocol’s for Parkinson’s.

In the post therapy with Bill, he stated that he was very happy with the dramatic results that he had received. He indicated that on his arrival in Germany he was unable to walk more than 3 steps. He was compelled to arrange transportation from the Hotel to the clinic. The brief videotape shows Bill walking from the hotel to the clinic on the last day of therapy. Bill was very thankful to Nexalin and God for his “dramatic improvement.”

In the before and after evaluation both Herman and Randy both indicate a modest reduction in symptoms, with one exception, being the modest increase in dystonia by Herman. Nonetheless, Randy, Herman and Mike all indicate that they had received no noticeable benefits from Nexalin therapy. Like everything else in the Parkinson’s community results are variable.

There is no doubt that some Parkinson’s patients have benefitted from their Nexalin therapy. These results seem to be variable, from reduction in tremor to reduction in depression, anxiety and everything in between. There is no apparent rational which explains why some people receive benefits and some don’t.

If you are a Parky, and if you have occasion to go to Germany or an interest in visiting Bad Nauheim, Germany, you might want to schedule a visit to the Nexalin Clinic. They are a group of dedicated and sincere health care workers trying to deliver a benefit to the community. Who knows, maybe you will be one of those that receive dramatic improvement. If you go, please write the Parkinson’s Rebels about your experience so that we can update our files.

--R.J. Calvert


Tuesday, February 19, 2008

One Week Review

It is one week since my last Nexalin therepy session in Germany. I have been waiting and watching for signs of improvement which I can attribute to this therapy. Unfortunately this does not appear to be the case.

I am working on the final report. I am waiting on the self-evaluation of symtoms form which was provided to each of the patients. I hope to recieve these shortly. Meanwhile I am attempting to edit the video material down to something useful.

I can report that three of the seven Parkinsons patients reported dramatic improvement. All three were very happy with the therapy and their results. (Video interviews will be proded in the final report) This fact alone should be encouraging to the Parkinsons community. Almost half of the patients got good results.



--R.J. Calvert

Friday, February 1, 2008

Session 10, Day 13

Had my usual electropulse therapy this morning. All went smoothly. No noticeable effects. All my local associates, patients and staff, caution me not to come to a hasty conclusion. They believe that beneficial effects can continue for up to 12 weeks. I will keep you informed.

The remainder of the day will be spent doing interviews, videos, photographs, and before/after forms. The results of the study, along with photos and video, will be provided in the coming weeks. Reports will be made available on DVD to interested parties.

Parkinson’s Rebels, along with Cori and Randy personally, would like to thank all parties for their assistance and contributions to this study. In particular we would like to thank; Gabi and Traugott Arens, Paul Ballmer, Elizabeth Boewe, Heide Cuntz, Bill Hasewinkle, Michael Kelly, Ray and Terry Pizinger, Linda and Rick Rucker, and Hermann Terweiden.

Cori and Randy will be closing down the Bad Nauheim, Germany field office of Parkinson’s Rebels tomorrow. We are both looking forward to watching the Superbowl on Sunday at home.

We would like to caution all readers that this is not a scientific study but, the experience of a Parkinson’s patient.
--
R.J. Calvert

Session 9, Day 12

Did the ususal electropulse therapy. No noticeable changes. Had long discussions with Nexalin representatives who seem to feel that I am recieving benefits. They also emphasize what the veteran patients say, that I should watch for benefits to appear for up to 12 weeks following therapy.

Had lunch with the other patients and Nexalin representatives, everybody is in good spirits.

The rest of the day was spent in taking care of errands (the great American past-time of shopping). Cori and I are looking forward to being back home.

Tomorrow we will conduct final interviews with the other patients. Results of these interviews will probably be given next week. The patients will also be completeing a rating of their post threatment symptoms. This information will also be made available next week.

Will report again tomorrow,
Randy & Cori
--
R.J. Calvert

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Therapy Session 8, Day 11

Slept well. Had our 10 a.m. electropulse therapy. Felt fine going in but left with a sharp headache. I don't know if it was a result of the therapy but it seems likely. Now, 4 hours, and 4 ibuprofen, later, things seem to be going back to my normal symptoms.

It looks like it is going to be a lazy day. The local library is providing us with a wealth of english books and DVD movies. Weather continues to be cold and gray.

If anything exciting happens we will report tomorrow.

Cori and Randy

Therapy Session 7, Day 10

Nexalin got headline exposure in todays Viartis, Parkinsons daily news. We were featured in articles which describe Nexalin and its program for Parkinsons patients.

Randy completed his 7th therapy session with elctropulse therapy. As always, he felt nothng as he relaxed for 40 minutes. It is worth mentioning, in general Randy seems to be feeling improved. He still has dyskinesia, neck pain, headaches, and multiple other symptoms. This general feeling of improvement may be triggered by the improvements of the Parkys around him.

Bill Haweswinkle states that he is walking better than he has in many months. He says he can go futher and is more agile than he had been in the recent past. In addition, he was excited to tell us that he was able to turn over in bed last night for the first time in many months. The excitement is growiung for this 73 year old parky.

Rick Rucker also states that he is experiencing reduced pain and improved spirits. Although the improvements seem modest, combined they show a general positive trend which Rick expects to continue to improve after his departure on Saturday.

All three of the veteran patients have stated that their improvements in the past have continued way beyond the last day of therapy. According to them, they will continue to improve for 4 - 8 weeks and then level off for approximately 6 months.

After the morning therapies the whole group traveled to the residence of Hermann and Heidi and visited the "Snail House". This is a retreat for Parkinsons pateints in the area. It was very interesting and incorporated many innovative technologies and adaptations for the Parkinsons lifestyle. These included a wheelchair/bicycle combination, a vibrating exercising machine, a massage recliner, adapted bathrooms etc. Our German Parkinsons host and hostess set a beautiful table with many locally made cakes.

The evening ended with a delicious traditional German meal in a local resturant.

-
R.J. Calvert

Monday, January 28, 2008

Nexalin Therapy Review

Nexalin Therapy Review
Monday, January 28, 2008
Day 9, Therapy session 6

We began our second week of therapy sessions this morning. Same as last week. Unlike last week, I found it difficult to sleep during the session. Still no noticeable changes in my symptoms.

Some of the other patients are saying that they are getting improvements. This will be documented on Friday.

The patients have developed their own symptom rating form with the following symptoms being rated on a Before/After basis. Tremor, bradykinesia, dystonia, dyskinesia, gait disorder, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, neck pain, nerve pain, nerve disorder, depression, anxiety, multi-task disorder, fatigue, and hyper-activity.

The weather remains cold and grey

All goes well
--R.J. Calvert

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Nexalin Therapy Review

Cori and I in slept late, had our normal breakfast. This was followed by a walk in the park. The rest of the day was just as lazy, we talked with friends , played cards, read books and did email.

We talked with family and John and Linda in China via the skype system. In general we got nothing accomplished, it was great.

We are earger to proceed with the therapy and to get back home. We can only hope that we leave better than we came.

This promises to be an exciting week. Be sure to check on the China progress.

Cori & Randy

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Day Eight

January 26, 2008

Today is the 8th day of this trip. It is Saturday, a non-clinical day. So Cori and I have been roaming the streets and castles around Bad Nauheim..

We started the morning with breakfast in our Hotel. They normally offer fresh fruit, granola, toast , cold cuts and coffee. After that we went to the health spa which has been here since pre-historic times. We had a hot mineral water bath, in wooden tubs, in a private room. It was quite interesting. The place had amazing tile work and kind of felt like you were taking a bath in a museum. The ceilings were high and decorated. The buildings were built strong and stout. The water was clear and epperviscent.

We visited an old castle in a nearby town that was an amazing peice of history. I can't even imagine what life was like in those days. The labor it took to move those stones and build those towers must have taken generations. We roamed the town surrounding the castle and found only a cat pillow sham for Lillian. As it turned 3 p.m. or so, Randy started to run out of go-juice so we came back to the Hotel.

Once back, Randy tried to get the computer communicating with the world. This has been a continual problem. So if you don't hear from us for a few days it's O.K. it's just Randy's German bug acting up again.

We've been reading about the good news in China and are wishing the best for Linda and John. History is being made.

We'll try and log in again tomorrow.
All is well,
Randy & Cori

Friday, January 25, 2008

Therapy Session 5

The therapy session has become routine. I go in, take off my shoes, take off my ring and watch, lay back in the recliner and relax for 40 minutes. It is very nice. Nothing yet to report on improvements. This is as expected.

I had a lengthy conversation with Nexalin staff who encouraged me to remain positive. I explained to them that I was convinced that their program would benefit a large portion of the Parkinson's community. This is apparent from my conversations with exisiting patients Bill, Paul, and Rick. My conversations with them clearly show that in the past, and in the present, they have recieved beneficial results. We will be video taping interviews with each of the seven patients at the completion of their therapy.

As we approach the weekend, plans of the collective gang are being made. Cori and I will be going to the mineral baths on Saturday followed by a trip to a local castle. Most of the other patients will be traveling on a shopping trip to Frankfurt. Sunday we have varoius plans and options available to us.

Morale remains high.

Ta ta for now,


--
R.J. Calvert

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Therapy Session 4

Had the normal 10 a.m. electrode therapy session. It was the normal 40 minute nap. No noticeable effects. This session was followed by a meeting of the patients of whom I have already introduced you to. There was one addition, who I left out, because he has been going to the afternoon sessions, Michael Kelly. Michael is a chemical engineer who lives in Frankfurt. He is also here for Parkinson's therapy.

All 7 of us Parkinson's patients will be filling out a before and after "symptoms" form which we have all generally agreed to. This will be presented as part of the final documents, along with photos and video files.

Everyone continues to be positive and eager for good results.

Those of you who are reading these daily entrees will also be interested in the progress of Linda and John who are in China having stem cell surgery for Linda's parkinsons. Their blog may be found on the ParkinsonsRebels.org website

R.J. Calvert

P.S. The town of Bad Nauheim is very proud of their connection to Elvis Presley who apparently stayed here a couple of years during his military service. There are multiple memorials around town and they hold a festival each year in his honor.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

THERAPY DAY 3

Forty minute session was the same as others. No noticeable changes. Nothing exciting to report.

These veteran Nexalin patients all act as if it was a foregone conclusion that things will be getting better in future days. Their confidence is so high that it leaves no doubt. As I see it, either mass hypnosis is at work or these people really have received dramatic results. This being the case I will attempt to record their improvements as much as my own. I remain a guarded skeptic.

On the local note the Parkinson's Group went out to an excellent lunch at a beautiful restaurant on the top of a hill. The town is quiet at night. We have one English T.V. channel, CNN from England. So we don't watch much T.V. Weather remains brisk.

We continue to search for the elusive frankfurter, that originated in Frankfurt, but no one seems to know of its whereabouts . There are Chinese, Italian and Mexican Restaurants but traditional German cuisine is hard to find. There is disagreement among the Germans was to which places serve traditional German. It is as if it is a secret that they don't want to let out. It is also interesting to note that there is no fast food in town; no Taco Bell, no Burger King, no Pizza Hut.

Just to summarize, the group of Parky's include myself and my wife Cori, Rick Rucker (candy King) and his wife Linda, Bill (mid-west farmer) and his escort Elizabeth, Paul Taller (retired businessman) Heidi and Hermann (both German natives).
--
R.J. Calvert












Lunch in Bad Nauheim Restaurant





















Nexalin Therapy Center in Germany

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Treatment Day 2

Went in for our 10 a.m. therapy session with an additional psycological evaluation. Routine. Forty minute electro therapy session. It is worth noting that therapy is conducted in a Lazyboy type reclining chair in quiet well lit room. The therapist attaches electrodes, sets the magic box for 40 minute and I nap for 40 minutes. At the end of that time the machine makes 10 beeps and the session is over. I feel a little more rested but no great improvement.

Talking with some of the veteran patients they seem to think I should not anticipate noticable improvements in the first week. However, I've been assured the second week will be different.

One of those veterans Bill Hasewinkle, a mid-west farmer says the results are incredible and on his first occasion he was brought to tears with the dramatic improvement. Much like Rick Rucker, these patients are so enthusiastic about the Nexalin therapy it is contagienous.

NEXALIN
The people we are dealing with are; Traugott Arens, Director of Sales and Marketing, Gabby, Director of Health Services, Nicole, Therapist, and Barbara, receptionist. The Nexalin staf f are quite friendly and accomodating. They are very much a pleasure to deal with.

BAD NAUHEIM
This town is 15 miles north of Frankfurt. It traslates to" "new spa house", referring to its new construction in the 1600's. There are natural springs which make it a resort healing community. The town is beautiful, calm and clean. The people are private but friendly. The air is clear and all in all it is a marvelous place to visit.

For those Parkys who are getting such great results this is a return to paradise. With any luck I'll get those same results.

R. J. Calvert

Monday, January 21, 2008

First clinic visit

BACKGROUND

In Novenmber last year, I was contacted by a Parkinson's friend who gave me the phone number of Rick Rucker of Chicago. I called Rick and was amazed at his story. He talked of his and Paul's (Paul Ballmer) visit to Nexalin Therapy Center in Germany. Both Parky's went to this clinic for pain releif and both were surprised to find that the electropulse therapy also relieved many of their Parkinson's symptoms. Now a year later they are still improved but some symptoms have started to reappear. He said they were going back for renewal in January. Rick told me he was relieved of his tremor and his medication was cut more than half. He said the progression of his Parkinson's had retreated 3 years. Paul received similar benefits with major relief of his bradykinesia along with other symptoms.

I did some Internet searches which seemed to legitimize the people and organizations. At this point I thought that a fact finding mission was in order. In addition to fact finding I might get a benefit from this therapy, with the possibility of a 3 year regression in symptoms. I decided to join Rick and Paul.

As it turns out their are 7 Parkys here now; Rick, Paul, Heidie and Hermann etc. We will all be here 2 weeks and are hoping to see tremendous progress over that time.

DAY 3, FIRST DAY AT THE CLINIC
As it started out Cori and I were the only ones there. Everyone else seemed to be diverted due to weather and travel complications. By the end of the day everyone was present. We all went through individual medical and psychological profiling before receiving therapy. The therapy amounted to a small box with a few lights and wires which were attached to my forehead and behind my ears. The low voltage DC pulsating stimulus, which was described to us by the personnel, was so weak that it could not be felt at all. The onle way I knew it was even on was because there were lights on the box. This electrode therapy was suppose to stimulate dopamine production.

I think I'm the biggest skeptic in the bunch, but I'm hoping for the best.

Hermann and Heidi are kind of interesting. They live in a German parkinsons community house, where they met and married.

Rick and Paul are kind of novel. They are quite positive but have obvious symptoms. For the pre-therapy record we have video taped some of the patiences. My personal symptoms include dyskinesia, and gait disorders amoung others. The Nexalin people were very hospitable and accomodating. They seem to expect good results, I'll let you know.

R. J. Calvert

Just Arrived in Germany

Greetings to all from Germany,

Day 1, Saturday 19 Jan 2008 - Left Sacramento at 10:00am. Flew to San Francisco then direct to Germany. We arrived Sunday morning at 10:00am, Day 2, much the worse for wear. No sleep, lots of symptoms.

We should start by saying that we are planning on meeting with the Nexalin office Monday morning to interview them regarding apparent parkinson's symptoms reduction. Last year a Parkinsons associate Rick Rucker realized a tremendous reduction in parkinson's symptoms. We are meeting him here at the clinic to review those results and possibly go through the therapy program.

We'll give a complete and updated report tomorrow after morning meetings.

For right now, Cori and I need to get some sleep and recharge the battery.

--
R.J. Calvert