Using a bimanual lever-driven wheelchair for arm movement practice early after stroke: A pilot, randomized, controlled, single-blind trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Many patients with subacute stroke rely on the nonparetic arm and leg to propel manual wheelchairs. We designed a bimanual, lever-driven wheelchair (LARA) to promote overground mobility and hemiparetic arm exercise. This study measured the feasibility of using LARA to increase arm movement, achieve mobility, and improve arm motor recovery (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02830893).

Design

Randomized, assessor-blind, controlled trial.

Setting

Two inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Subjects

Nineteen patients with subacute stroke (1 week to 2 months post-stroke) received 30 minutes extra arm movement practice daily, while admitted to inpatient rehabilitation (n = 10) or before enrollment in outpatient therapy (n = 9).

Interventions

SUBMITTER: Smith BW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9009357 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature