Lap-tray and triangular sling are no more effective than a hemi-sling in preventing shoulder subluxation in those at risk early after stroke: a randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Shoulder subluxation is a common secondary impairment of the upper limb following stroke. A range of supportive devices are used in rehabilitation to prevent shoulder subluxation, including hemi-slings and firm supports, such as arm troughs, however, there is little evidence regarding their efficacy.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a modified lap-tray during sitting and a triangular sling during standing is more effective than a hemi-sling in preventing shoulder subluxation, pain, contracture and upper limb activity limitation after stroke.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis.


METHODS
Three inpatient rehabilitation units in Australia and Norway.


METHODS
Forty-six acute stroke survivors within 3 weeks of stroke who were at risk of subluxation.


METHODS
The experimental group used a modified lap-tray while sitting and a triangular sling while standing to support the affected arm for four weeks. The control group used a hemi-sling while sitting and standing. The primary outcome was amount of shoulder subluxation on X-ray. Secondary outcomes were upper limb activity, pain and contracture.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between groups in terms of shoulder subluxation (MD -3 mm, 95% CI -8 to 3). There was a trend for the experimental group to develop less pain at rest (MD -0.7 out of 10, 95% CI -2.2 to 0.8) and during shoulder external rotation (MD -1.7 out of 10, 95% CI -3.7 to 0.3) and a trend towards having less contracture of shoulder external rotation (MD -10 deg, 95% CI -22 to 2). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of other contractures and activity of the upper limb.


CONCLUSIONS
A lap-tray during sitting combined with a triangular sling during standing is no more effective than a hemi-sling in preventing subluxation, pain, contracture and activity limitation in acute stroke survivors at risk of shoulder subluxation.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a lap-tray during sitting and triangular sling during standing is not indicated as an alternative to the hemi-sling to prevent shoulder subluxation in patients after stroke, so alternative strategies with proven efficacy, such as electrical stimulation, should be considered.
Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia - ada@sydney.edu.au.
Louise
L
Ada
Department of Physical Therapy, Chulalongkorn University, Chulalongkorn, Thailand.
Anchalee
A
Foongchomcheay
Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Birgitta
B
Langhammer
Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Elisabeth
E
Preston
Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Rosalyn
R
Stanton
Discipline of Medical Radiation Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
John
J
Robinson
The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Serene
S
Paul
Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Colleen
C
Canning
D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009664:Norway; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology